The fisherman was of good family, and he was rich; these statements,
artistically interwoven by him with the lighter fabric of his letter,
were confirmed by an acquaintance of mine in Providence, of whom, in
writing, I had incidentally inquired concerning the gentleman.
Respectability and wealth--items not supposed to weigh too heavily with
the romantic mind of youth--but I believed that I was no longer either
young or romantic. Moreover, I was slowly realizing the fact that
school-teaching in Wallencamp was not likely to furnish me the means for
making an excessively brilliant personal display, nor for carrying out to
any extent my subordinate plans for a world-wide philanthropy.
"Perhaps, after all then," I argued; "it is only left for me to give up
my ideas about being unique and independent and sublime, 'take up with a
good offer,' and step resolutely, without any sentimental awe, into the
great orderly ranks of the married sisterhood."
My life had been but a varied list of surprises to my family and
acquaintances, why not effect the crowning surprise of all, by doing
something they might have expected of me?
Well, I had dreamed of higher things--but this was a strange, restless,
disappointing world.
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