t it becomes almost impossible to recognize or distinguish them.
In natures so capriciously amalgamated, a wonderful diversity occurs,
adding to the investigations of curiosity, a spur unknown in other
lands; making of every new relation a stimulating study, and lending
unwonted interest to the lightest incident. Nothing is here indifferent,
nothing unheeded, nothing hackneyed! Striking contrasts are constantly
occurring among these natures so mobile and susceptible, endowed with
subtle, keen and vivid intellects, with acute sensibilities increased
by suffering and misfortune; contrasts throwing lurid light upon hearts,
like the blaze of a conflagration illumining and revealing the gloom
of midnight. Here chance may bring together those who but a few hours
before were strangers to each other. The ordeal of a moment, a single
word, may separate hearts long united; sudden confidences are often
forced by necessity, and invincible suspicions frequently held in
secret. As a witty woman once remarked: "They often play a comedy, to
avoid a tragedy!" That which has never been uttered, is yet incessantly
divined and understood. Generalities are often used to sharpen
interrogation, while concealing its drift; the most evasive replies
are carefully listened to, like the ringing of metal, as a test of the
quality. Often, when in appearance pleading for others, the suitor is
urging his own cause; and the most graceful flattery may be only the
veil of disguised exactions.

But caution and attention become at last wearisome to natures naturally
expansive and candid, and a tiresome frivolity, surprising enough before
the secret of its reckless indifference has been divined, mingles with
the most spiritual refinement, the most poetic sentiments, the most real
causes for intense suffering, as if to mock and jeer at all reality. It
is difficult to analyze or appreciate justly this frivolity, as it
is sometimes real, sometimes only assumed. It makes use of confusing
replies and strange resources to conceal the truth. It is sometimes
justly, sometimes wrongfully regarded as a kind of veil of motley, whose
fantastic tissue needs only to be slightly torn to reveal more than one
hidden or sleeping quality under the variegated folds of gossamer. It
often follows from such causes, that eloquence becomes only a sort of
grave badinage, sparkling with spangles like the play of fireworks,
though the heart of the discourse may contain nothing earnest;