If I tell you I am before everything a man of my time, I suppose this seems only a cynical confession of all the weaknesses and crimes you have already attributed to me?
It shall not always be so! Why, what are you, after all, Miriam?
Twenty-three, twenty-four--which is it?
Why, you are a child still; your time of education is before you.

You are a child come to Italy to learn what can be made of life!" She averted her face, but smiled, and not quite so coldly as of wont.
She could not but think of Cecily, whose words a few days ago had been in spirit so like these, so like them in the ring of enthusiasm.
"Some day," Elgar went on, exalting himself more and more, "you shall wonder in looking back on this scene between us--wonder how you could have been so harsh to me.

It is impossible that you and I, sole brother and sister, should move on constantly diverging paths.

Tell me--you are not really without some kind of faith in my abilities ?" "You know it has always been my grief that you put the in to no use." "Very well.

But it remains for you to learn what my powers really are, and to bring yourself to sympathize with my direction.