on that she might alter considerably if she were once thoroughly aroused."
"I can't rouse her. I was not sent into the world to rouse pretty horse breakers."
If Anne was doubtful as to what Mrs. Trefusis had been sent into this imperfect world for, she did not show it.
"I don't want you to rouse her. All I want is that you should be kind to her." Anne took Mrs. Trefusis's ringed, claw-like hand between both hers. "I do want that very much."
"Well," said Mrs. Trefusis, blinking her eyes, "I won't say I won't try. You can always get round me, Anne. Oh! my dear, dear child, if it might only have been you. But of course, just because I had set my heart upon it, I was not to have it. That has been my life from first to last. If I might only have had you. You think me a cross, bitter old woman, and so I am: God knows I have had enough to make me so. But I should not have been so to you."
"You never are so to me. But you see my affections are--is not that the correct expre
