'
'Was there anything in her expression, when you first looked at her,
that took you by surprise?'
'There was natural curiosity to see the woman who had been
preferred to her; and perhaps some astonishment also, not to see
a more engaging and more beautiful person; both those feelings
restrained within the limits of good breeding, and both not lasting
for more than a few moments--so far as I could see. I say, "so far,"
because the horrible agitation that she communicated to me disturbed
my judgment. If I could have got to the door, I would have run out
of the room, she frightened me so! I was not even able to stand up--
I sank back in my chair; I stared horror-struck at the calm
blue eyes that were only looking at me with a gentle surprise.
To say they affected me like the eyes of a serpent is to say nothing.
I felt her soul in them, looking into mine--looking, if such a thing
can be, unconsciously to her own mortal self. I tell you my impression,
in all its horror and in all its folly! That woman is destined
(without knowing it herself) to be the evil genius of my life.
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