The Transfiguration
of Miss Philura
Mrs. Smart's Theme was Thought Forces and the Infinite [See page 18THE TRANSFIGURATION
OF
MISS PHILURA
By
FLORENCE MORSE KINGSLEY
THIRTEENTH EDITION
FUNK & WAGNALLS COMPANY
NEW YORK AND LONDON
COPYRIGHT, 1901, BY
FLORENCE M. KINGSLEY
Registered at Stationers' Hall, London, England
[PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA]
Hour-Glass Stories Edition. Published March, 1902
CHAPTER ONE
Miss Philura Rice tied her faded bonnet-strings under her faded chinwith hands that trembled a little; then she leaned forward and gazedanxiously at the reflection which confronted her. A somewhat pinched andwistful face it was, with large, light-lashed blue eyes, arched over[Pg 8]with a mere pretense at eyebrows. More than once in her twenties MissPhilura had ventured to eke out this scanty provision of Nature with amodicum of burned match stealthily applied in the privacy of her virginchamber. But the twenties, with their attendant dreams and follies, weredefinitely past; just how long past no one knew exactly—Miss Philuranever informed the curious on this point.
As for the insufficient eyebrows, they symbolized, as it were, a meagre[Pg 9]and restricted life, vaguely acknowledged as the dispensation of anobscurely hostile but consistent Providence; a Providence far too awfuland exalted—as well as hostile—to interest itself benignantly in sosmall and neutral a personality as stared back at her from the large,dim mirror of Cousin Maria Van Deuser's third-story back bedroom. Notthat Miss Philura ever admitted such dubious thoughts to the selectcircle of her conscious reflections; more years ago than she cared to[Pg 10]count she had grappled with her discontent, had thrust it resolutelyout of sight, and on the top of it she had planted a big stone markedResignation. Nevertheless, at times the stone heaved and trembledominously.
At sound of a brisk tap at her chamber door the lady turned with aguilty start to find the fresh-colored, impertinent face of the Frenchmaid obtruding itself into the room.
"Ze madame waits," announced this individual, and with a coldlycomprehensive eye swept the small figure from head to foot.
"Yes, yes, my dear, I am quite ready—I am coming at once!" falteredMiss Philura, with a propitiatory smile, and more than ever painfullyaware that the skirt of her best black gown was irremediably short andscant, that her waist was too flat, her shoulders too sloping, her[Pg 12]complexion faded, her forehead wrinkled, and her bonnet unbecoming.
As she stepped uncertainly down the dark, narrow stairway she rebukedherself severely for these vain and worldly thoughts. "To be a churchmember, in good and regular standing, and a useful member of society,"she assured herself strenuously, "should be