The Foolish Virgin

By George Gissing

OMiNG down to breakfast, as usual, rather late, Miss Jewell


was surprised to And several persons still at table. Their
conversation ceased as she entered, and all eyes were directed to
her with a look in which she discerned some special meaning.
For several reasons she was in an irritable humour ; the signihcant
smiles, the subdued " Good mornings," and the silence that fol-
lowed, so jarred upon her nerves that, save for curiosity, she would
have turned and left the room.
Mrs. Banting (generally at this hour busy in other parts of the
house) inquired with a sympathetic air whether she would take
porridge ; the others awaited her reply as if it were a matter of
general interest. Miss Jewell abruptly demanded an egg. The
awkward pause was broken by a high falsetto.
" I believe you know who it is all the time, Mr. Drake," said
Miss Ayres, addressing the one man present.
" I assure you I don't. Upon my word, I don't. The whole
thing astonishes me."
Resolutely silent, Miss Jewell listened to a conversation the
drift of which remained dark to her, until some one spoke the name
" Mr. Cheeseman ; " then it was with dihiculty that she controlled
her face and her tongue. The servant brought her an egg. She

struck