t of
feeling--can fail to be distressed and annoyed by the thought that he
has unintentionally and unconsciously aroused in a woman's heart an
interest which he cannot possibly reciprocate."

"But, if you have never considered the subject until now, how do you
know that you may not be able to return the affection?"

"Because, when I examine my own heart, I find not even the germ of a
feeling which years might possibly ripen into love."

"Will you candidly answer the question I am about to ask you?"

"Yes, I think I can safely promise that much, simply because I wish to
conceal nothing from you; and I cannot conjecture any inquiry on your
part from which I should shrink. What would you ask?"

"Is it because you are interested in some other woman, that you speak
so positively of the hopelessness of my poor Salome's case?"

"No, my sister; no woman has any claim or hold on my heart stronger
than that of mere friendship. I have never loved any one as I must
love the woman I make my wife; and since I have seen and merely
admired so many who were attractive, lovely, and lovable, I often
think that I shall probably never marry.

... 'For several virtues
I have liked several women; never any
With so full a soul, but some defect in her
Did quarrel with the noblest grace she owned,
And put it to a foil.'

Of course this is a matter with reference to which I shall not
dogmatize, for we are all more or less the victims of caprice; and,
like other men, I may some day set the imperious feet of fancy upon
the neck of judgment and sound reason. As yet, I have not met the
perfect character whom I could ask to bear my name; still, I may be so
fortunate as either to find my ideal, or imagine that I do; or else
become so earnestly attached to some beautiful woman, that, for her
sake, I will willingly lower my lofty standard. These are the merest
possible contingencies, and I have little inclination to discuss them;
but I wish at all times to be entirely frank with you. Salome would
never suit me as a life-long companion. She meets none of the
requirements of my intellectual nature, and her perverse disposition,
and what might almost be termed _diablerie_, repel instead of
attracting me. I pity the child, and can sympathize cordially with her
efforts to redeem herself from the luckless associations of earlier
years that wofully distorted her character; and I can truly say that I
am interested in her welfare a