As they were about to leave Penloe saw Stella's longing, wistful eyes glancing over the rows of books. He anticipated the wish by saying: "Stella, any book or books you see here you are at liberty to take home."
If Penloe had made her a present of a thousand dollars in actual gold coin, she could not have felt as grateful as she did when he gave her the use of his whole library. It was like pouring water on thirsty land. Stella was thirsting for information on so many subjects, and now her wish was gratified. She had the opportunity of getting the reading matter she longed for so much, but did not have the means to purchase. And, above all, when Penloe told her he would be pleased to help her in any line of thought she might wish to investigate, it seemed to her as if her happiness was complete. Her eyes and her hand expressed it all on taking leave of Penloe.
The ladies said little in going home. It seemed mutually understood that they would not give expression to their thoughts till they were home and sitting together in the evening.
When Stella entered the house she had in her possession three of Penloe's books. One was "Macomber's Oriental Customs," another "Woman's Freedom in Tiestan" by Burnette, and the third was "Woman's Bondages" by Stuart.
After supper was over and the dishes washed and put away, Stella and her mother sat down and Stella said somewhat abruptly: "Mother, sometimes I wish I had never seen Penloe." Her mother was not very much surprised to hear her express herself in that way, for she had observed that Stella's mind was somewhat agitated.
Her mother said: "Why, dear, what do you mean?"
Stella said: "Mother, I mean this: that I can never be contented and happy in the society of any young man other than Penloe. How can I?"
It was a very hard question for her mother to answer, who knew full well that Penloe had unintentionally made an impression on her daughter's heart that time could never efface, and she had refrained from saying much in praise of Penloe, for she knew that it would only be adding fuel to a very great flame, which it would be impossible for Stella to quench. She knew that Stella had seen in Penloe a young man greatly beyond her expectations; even beyond her ideal. Penloe lived in a world that Stella had only just a faint conception of. It was his intellect, his exceptionally fine personality, manifested in such a fine, manly form she admired. But, above all, Stella could see that he had emptied himself of all save love. And that was so broad, so deep, so far reaching, so universal in its sympathies, that it stirred her whole nature.
Mrs. Wheelwright said: "I think my daughter has lost something."