"I am not going
to be a laughing stock for Emily and her friends if I can help it.
We'll play the game through now! Only--it is best for you to know the
risks . . ."
Wingrave's second letter was to Juliet. She found it on her table one
afternoon when she came back from her painting class. She tore it open
eagerly enough, but her face clouded over as she read.
"Dear Juliet,--I am sorry that I am unable to carry out my promise to
come and see you, but I have been slightly indisposed for some days,
and am leaving London, for the present, almost at once. I trust that
you are still interested in your work, and will enjoy your trip to
Normandy.
"I received your letter, asking for my help towards re-establishing in
life a poor family in whom you are interested. I regret that I cannot
accede to your request. It is wholly against my principles to give
money away to people of this class. I look upon all charity as a
mischievous attempt to tamper with natural laws, and I am convinced
that if everyone shared my views, society would long ago have been
re-established on a sounder and more logical basis. To be quite frank
with you, also, I might add that the gift of sympathy has been denied
to me. I am quite indifferent whether the family you allude to starve
or prosper.
"So far as you yourself are concerned, however, the matter is entirely
different. If it gives you pleasure to assist in pauperizing any
number of your fellow creatures, pray do so.
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