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A BIOGRAPHY
199
out into the world alone. But you are not going into
the midst of cannibals. A young girl like yourself will
always find friends and help when she needs them."
She had allowed this stranger to witness her despair,
though hitherto she had hidden her wounds from her
nearest and dearest. It was a relief when she noticed
that he had not the least idea who she was. During
the conversation which now followed, it became
evident that he took her for a little governess going
abroad to earn her living in a strange family.
She kept up his illusion, only too happy to preserve
her incognito, and even amused at playing a little
comedy which served to distract her thoughts. It was
not difficult for her to conceive her role so completely
as to identify herself in imagination with the supposed
poor little governess.
With downcast eyes she received advice and
comfort from her good-natured traveling-companion. So
strong was the fantastic element in her character that,
despite her great sorrow, she began to enjoy the
mystification.
When the gentleman proposed that they should stop
in the town they were passing through, and see
whatever it might afford that was interesting, she consented
to do so. They spent a couple of days there, and then
parted without having even learned each other’s name
or position.
This little episode is characteristic of Sonya’s love
of adventure. The stranger had been sympathetic to
her. His kind interest in her sorrow touched her.
She felt alone in the world; why not accept this
bright gleam which chance had thrown in her way?
Another woman might doubtless have compromised
herself hopelessly in a man’s eyes by sueh conduct.
Two days’ intercourse with a man from morning to
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