Surely
nothing could be more sadly satisfying than to live alone with
regretful memories and to have the privilege of regarding the
world as a vain show. Unfortunately, however, Paloma was too
healthy and too practical to remain long occupied with such
thoughts. She was disgustingly optimistic and merry; misanthropy
was entirely lacking in her make-up; and none of her admirers
seemed the least bit inclined to faithlessness. On the contrary,
the men she knew were perfect nuisances in their earnestness of
purpose, and she could not manage to fall in love with any one
sufficiently depraved to promise her the slightest misery. Paloma
felt that she was hopelessly commonplace.
Now that she had an opportunity of becoming better acquainted with
the object of her envy, she made the most of it. She soon found,
however, that Alaire possessed anything but an unhappy
disposition, and that to pity her was quite impossible. Mrs.
Austin was shy and retiring, certainly, at first, but, once the
ice was broken, she was delightfully frank, friendly, and
spirited.
Paloma's curiosity was all-consuming, and she explored every phase
of her new friend's life with interest and delight.
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