And she had grown fond of the aged dandy and his foolish ways--ways which seemed foolish because they were those of youth grafted upon senility.

She had not known that she was fond of him, it is true; but now that he spoke of dying, she felt that she would weep his loss.

He was her only companion, her only friend.

In the loyal determination to be faithful to him, she had so shut herself from all intimacy with the world that she had not a friend.

She kept women at a distance from her, instinctively dreading lest in their careless talk some hint or comment should remind her that she had married a man ridiculous in their eyes; and with men she could have but little intercourse, for their society was dangerous.