{"id":"01KG8AK9ANMD7910DVZ1HKPVWE","cid":"bafkreieokexqsa2wlhq5gt6clxadoxd73gceekt6msh75yh4e2ifaydqu4","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":2131,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:57.722Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 1","source_file":"01KG89J1JMR8XVKPA0G8ADAPC4","start_line":2051,"text":"CHAPTER VIII.\r\n\r\nA CHARITABLE LADY.\r\n\r\n\r\nIf a drunkard in a sober fit is the dullest of mortals, an enthusiast in\r\na reason-fit is not the most lively. And this, without prejudice to his\r\ngreatly improved understanding; for, if his elation was the height of\r\nhis madness, his despondency is but the extreme of his sanity. Something\r\nthus now, to all appearance, with the man in gray. Society his stimulus,\r\nloneliness was his lethargy. Loneliness, like the sea breeze, blowing\r\noff from a thousand leagues of blankness, he did not find, as veteran\r\nsolitaires do, if anything, too bracing. In short, left to himself, with\r\nnone to charm forth his latent lymphatic, he insensibly resumes his\r\noriginal air, a quiescent one, blended of sad humility and demureness.\r\n\r\nEre long he goes laggingly into the ladies' saloon, as in spiritless\r\nquest of somebody; but, after some disappointed glances about him, seats\r\nhimself upon a sofa with an air of melancholy exhaustion and depression.\r\n\r\nAt the sofa's further end sits a plump and pleasant person, whose aspect\r\nseems to hint that, if she have any weak point, it must be anything\r\nrather than her excellent heart. From her twilight dress, neither dawn\r\nnor dark, apparently she is a widow just breaking the chrysalis of her\r\nmourning. A small gilt testament is in her hand, which she has just been\r\nreading. Half-relinquished, she holds the book in reverie, her finger\r\ninserted at the xiii. of 1st Corinthians, to which chapter possibly her\r\nattention might have recently been turned, by witnessing the scene of\r\nthe monitory mute and his slate.\r\n\r\nThe sacred page no longer meets her eye; but, as at evening, when for a\r\ntime the western hills shine on though the sun be set, her thoughtful\r\nface retains its tenderness though the teacher is forgotten.\r\n\r\nMeantime, the expression of the stranger is such as ere long to attract\r\nher glance. But no responsive one. Presently, in her somewhat\r\ninquisitive survey, her volume drops. It is restored. No encroaching\r\npoliteness in the act, but kindness, unadorned. The eyes of the lady\r\nsparkle. Evidently, she is not now unprepossessed. Soon, bending over,\r\nin a low, sad tone, full of deference, the stranger breathes, \"Madam,\r\npardon my freedom, but there is something in that face which strangely\r\ndraws me. May I ask, are you a sister of the Church?\"\r\n\r\n\"Why--really--you--\"\r\n\r\nIn concern for her embarrassment, he hastens to relieve it, but, without\r\nseeming so to do. \"It is very solitary for a brother here,\" eying the\r\nshowy ladies brocaded in the background, \"I find none to mingle souls\r\nwith. It may be wrong--I _know_ it is--but I cannot force myself to be\r\neasy with the people of the world. I prefer the company, however\r\nsilent, of a brother or sister in good standing. By the way, madam, may\r\nI ask if you have confidence?\"\r\n\r\n\"Really, sir--why, sir--really--I--\"\r\n\r\n\"Could you put confidence in _me_ for instance?\"\r\n\r\n\"Really, sir--as much--I mean, as one may wisely put in a--a--stranger,\r\nan entire stranger, I had almost said,\" rejoined the lady, hardly yet at\r\nease in her affability, drawing aside a little in body, while at the\r\nsame time her heart might have been drawn as far the other way. A\r\nnatural struggle between charity and prudence.\r\n\r\n\"Entire stranger!\" with a sigh. \"Ah, who would be a stranger? In vain, I\r\nwander; no one will have confidence in me.\"\r\n\r\n\"You interest me,\" said the good lady, in mild surprise. \"Can I any way\r\nbefriend you?\"\r\n\r\n\"No one can befriend me, who has not confidence.\"\r\n\r\n\"But I--I have--at least to that degree--I mean that----\"\r\n\r\n\"Nay, nay, you have none--none at all. Pardon, I see it. No confidence.\r\nFool, fond fool that I am to seek it!\"\r\n\r\n\"You are unjust, sir,\" rejoins the good lady with heightened interest;\r\n\"but it may be that something untoward in your experiences has unduly\r\nbiased you. Not that I would cast reflections. Believe me, I--yes,\r\nyes--I may say--that--that----\"\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 1"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJJRS9KN73TSWD3V3Y0QR","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1JMR8XVKPA0G8ADAPC4","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AK9XT99KRZQWGZXXKQAZS","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"next"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:59.317Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:07.465Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}