Like most cultivated men, he distrusted popularity: like all men who believe in their own individual judgment, he doubted collective wisdom.

Yet now that his protegee had been accepted by others, he questioned that judgment and became her critic.

It struck him that her sudden outburst was strained; it seemed to him that in this mere contortion of passion the sibyl's robe had become rudely disarranged.

He spoke to Hamlin, and even approached the tabooed subject.
"Did you see anything that suggested this sort of business in--in--that woman--I mean in--your pilgrimage, Jack ?" "No," responded Jack, gravely.

"But it's easy to see she's got hold of some hay-footed fellow up there in the mountains with straws in his hair, and is playing him for all he's worth.