Weaker than a Woman — page 274: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. erat 269 Kate, having some leisure, had a long conversation with him. A ‘Can you understand an allegory, Felix?” she asked im. ‘“Yes, I think so,” he replied. “Try me, madre.” ‘‘There was once a man,” began Kate, ‘’who stood with his feet firmly planted upon the earth, and his eyes very often looking up at the clouds. At his feet lay a most beautiful pearl of priceless value, and ata distance lay a worthless piece of shining glass. This man of whom I speak trod upon the pearl until it was almost hidden in the dust, while he went eagerly in search of the bit of glass. Do you understand, Felix ?” she asked, after a few minutes. “Only very vaguely, madre. I am the man. I recog- nize the bit of shining glass, but not the pearl.” ‘Not the pearl!” repeated Kate. ‘* Well, that proves what I have often thought, that, while men may be clever and keen and intellectual, they may, at the same time, be blind as bats. That pearl has been under your eyes for many years. Ah, I see you do not understand !” Nor did he. Kate went on talking to him. “You will be aman of mark, Felix—every one says so. But you will be like all other men; you will want a good wife. If the facts could be got at, it would be found that some of the greatest men of the day owe much of their fame to the wise guidance of a wise wife.” ‘‘T believe that,” he replied, ‘‘but—ah, well, we need not talk about it, madre. I suppose a man’s fate is settled for him.” ‘‘A man’s fate is just what he likes to make it,” declared Kate. “When you are inclined to marry, never mind beauty ; look out for a noble woman—nobility of character is far better than beauty.” The words struck him as being but the repetition of other words written to him. “The world is full of noble women,” Kate continued. ‘*Look at Eve Lester. Where would you find one sweeter, more gracious, or noble? She is true and tender and ear- nest; she has a fund of clear common sense; she has a vivid, bright imagination, a quick, poetical fancy; and, as for beauty, I see more in her sweet, fair face than in. any face I have ever seen.” “Eve Lester!” he cried. “Certainly no woman could be nobler. Oh, madre, is she the pearl?” “Yes; you most blind, most dear, most obtuse of good (G (0) Eomicbooks m1