admired man: he is little liked here; he never took steps to make himself liked。 Had he treated you as an especial favourite; you would have found enemies; declared or covert; all around you; as it is; the greater number would offer you sympathy if they dared。 Teachers and pupils may look coldly on you for a day or two; but friendly feelings are concealed in their hearts; and if you persevere in doing well; these feelings will ere long appear so much the more evidently for their temporary suppression。 Besides; Jane”—she paused。
“Well; Helen?” said I; putting my hand into hers: she chafed my fingers gently to warm them; and went on—
“If all the world hated you; and believed you wicked; while your own conscience approved you; and absolved you from guilt; you would not be without friends。”
“No; I know I should think well of myself; but that is not enough: if others don’t love me I would rather die than live—I cannot bear to be solitary and hated; Helen。 Look here; to gain some real affection from you; or Miss Temple; or any other whom I truly love; I would willingly submit to have the bone of my arm broken; or to let a bull toss me; or to stand behind a kicking horse; and let it dash its hoof at my chest—”
“Hush; Jane! you think too much of the love of human beings; you are too impulsive; too vehement; the sovereign hand that created your frame; and put life into it; has provided you with other resources than your feeble self; or than creatures feeble as you。 Besides this earth; and besides the race of men; there is an invisible world and a kingdom of spirits: that world is round us; for it is everywhere; and those spirits watch us; for they are missioned to guard us; and if we were dying in pain and shame; if scorn smote us on all sides; and ha