CHAPTER X.
AN OFFER OF HELP.
The singing-master, Mr.Humphreys, went to singing-school and church with Julia in a matter-of-course way, treating her with attention, but taking care not to make himself too attentive.

Except that Julia could not endure his smile--which was, like some joint stock companies, strictly limited--she liked him well enough.

It was something to her, in her monotonous life under the eye of her mother, who almost never left her alone, and who cut off all chance for communication with August--it was something to have the unobtrusive attentions of Mr.Humphreys, who always interested her with his adventures.

For indeed it really seemed that he had had more adventures than any dozen other men.

How should a simple-hearted girl understand him?
How should she read the riddle of a life so full of duplicity--of _multiplicity_--as the life of Joshua Humphreys, the music-teacher?
Humphreys intended to make love to her, but during the first two weeks he only aimed to gain her esteem.