We cannot
construct such a creed about any man or woman we know, and least of
all about the universe. We acknowledge opposites which we have no
power to bring together; and Pauline, although she knew nothing of
philosophy, may not have been completely wrong with her Supreme who
hated the Brunswicks and nevertheless sanctioned Carlton House.
Pauline surprised Mrs. Zachariah considerably. A woman, and more
particularly a young woman, even supposing her to be quite orthodox,
who behaved in that style amongst the members of Pike Street, would
have been like a wild seagull in a farmyard of peaceful, clucking,
brown-speckled fowls. All the chapel maidens and matrons, of course,
were serious; but their seriousness was decent and in order. Mrs.
Coleman was therefore scandalised, nervous, and dumb. Jean, as his
manner was when his daughter expressed herself strongly, was also
silent. His love for her was a consuming, hungry fire. It utterly
extinguished all trace, not merely of selfishness, but of self, in
him, and he was perfectly content, when Pauline spoke well, to remain
quiet, and not allow a word of his to disturb the effect which he
thought she ought to produce.
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