ngs went on in this fashion for another week or more. It was all very
quiet: there was really nothing to see. What they talked about I don't
know; when the rest of us were by, their conversation was not notable. I
can make more original and forcible remarks myself; in fact, I do, every
day. But I have no doubt she catechized and cross-examined him in
private. It is not Hartman's way to air his theories before ladies, or
to obtrude himself as a topic of discussion; but the Princess, when she
condescends to notice a man at all, likes to see a good deal further
into his soul than he ever gets to see into hers. That is all right in
this case; the doctor has to be acquainted with the symptoms before he
can cure the patient. When Hartman and I were together at the end of the
evenings and at odd hours, he had very little to say: he seemed rather
preoccupied and introspective. He is another of your plaguedly reserved
people, who when they have anything on hand wrap it up in Egyptian
darkness and Cimmerian gloom. That is the correct thing in a woman--in
Clarice at least: in a man I don't like it. My soul, now, is as open as
the day, and when I have struck any new ideas or discoveries, I would
willingly stand on a house-top--if it were flat--and proclaim them for
the benefit of the world. Even my uncompleted processes of thought are
at the service of any one who can appreciate them; but you can't expect
everybody to be like me. Most men are selfish, narrowly engrossed in
their small private concerns--no generous public spirit about them. But
then Hartman is not used to this kind of thing, and I suppose it knocks
the wind out of him.

One evening I was by myself in the shrubbery; it was just dark, but
there was a tidy young moon. I wanted to smoke a pipe for a change, and
so had gone to the most secluded place I could find, for if Mabel were
to hear of this, Hartman might not get reconciled to domestic life. I
sat there, meditating on the uncertainty of human affairs: it would do
you more good than a little to know what thoughts passed through my
mind, but there is no time to go into that. Suddenly two forms came in
sight. One was of manly dignity, the other of willowy grace. His frame
towered like the noble oak on the hilltop, while hers--but we have had
the oak and the vine before, and worked them for all they are worth.
Perhaps I ought to have given you a more particular account of the
appearance of these two young persons: but