She had moved with every movement, and had proved her capacity to control herself when the movement became uncontrollable.

And then she had thought how worthy a position in life would be that of the wife of the rector of a church like St.Chad's.
That idea had remained with her, as had already been said, for some months, until, to be exact in regard to the date, the other young women, whom she had been watching with interest, had bought their brilliant blouses with the newest and, consequently, most abnormal sleeves, casting aside the sober-hued bodices which they had worn in hope.
How paltry were all these aspirations, these undertakings! That was what was dinning in her ears all the time Ella had been talking in the carriage.
But why, why, why should all her previous interests, including the consideration of the questions of orthodoxy and the other thing, seem so ridiculously small while Ella was speaking?
That was the question which puzzled her.

Had Ella shown her a way to something better, something higher, something better worthy of the aspiration of a woman?
She could not say that that had been the drift of her large discourse.

What she had said had actually been puzzling in its vagueness, its daring images--all images are vague; its allegories--all allegories are indefinite.
And yet--and yet--and yet---- With a motion of impatience Phyllis sprang to her feet.

After a pause she went to a little satin-wood cabinet which she had turned into a bookshelf, and took out her Bible.