I, for my part, had
not the smallest doubt that she had fallen down a precipice and was
dead. Everything--especially the fact that you last saw her on the
brink of a precipice, running into a volume of mist--pointed to but
one conclusion. To have imagined for a moment that she and
Wilderspin's model, who had been discovered in the streets of London,
were the same, would have been, of course, impossible. Besides, you
had given me no description of her personal appearance, nor had you
said a word to me as to her style of beauty, which is undoubtedly
unique.
When I got the model fairly settled at Hurstcote her presence became
a delight to me such as it could hardly have been to any other man.
It is difficult for me to describe that delight, but I will try.
Do you by chance remember our talk about animals and the charm they
had for me, especially young animals? And do you remember my saying
that the most fascinating creature in the world would be a beautiful
young girl as unconscious as a child or a young animal; if such a
combination of charms were possible? Such a young girl as this it was
whom I was now seeing every day and all day.
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