CHAPTER XIX 248 face into deeper shadow : mine , it illumined .
" I wonder with what feelings you came to me to-night ," she said , when she had examined me a while . " I wonder what thoughts are busy in your heart during all the hours you sit in yonder room with the fine people flitting before you like shapes in a magic-lantern : just as little sympathetic communion passing between you and them as if they were really mere shadows of human forms , and not the actual substance ."
" I feel tired often , sleepy sometimes , but seldom sad ."
" Then you have some secret hope to buoy you up and please you with whispers of the future ?"
" Not I . The utmost I hope is , to save money enough out of my earnings to set up a school some day in a little house rented by myself ."
" A mean nutriment for the spirit to exist on : and sitting in that window-seat ( you see I know your habits ) -- "
" You have learned them from the servants ."
" Ah ! you think yourself sharp . Well , perhaps I have : to speak truth , I have an acquaintance with one of them , Mrs . Poole -- "
I started to my feet when I heard the name .
" You have -- have you ?" thought I ; " there is diablerie in the business after all , then !"
" Don ' t be alarmed ," continued the strange being ; " she ' s a safe hand is Mrs . Poole : close and quiet ; any one may repose confidence in her . But , as I was saying : sitting in that window-seat , do you think of nothing but your future school ? Have you no present interest in any of the company who occupy the sofas and chairs before you ? Is there not one face you study ? one figure whose movements you follow with at least curiosity ?"