uch kinder to me
than to most men, but I did not see that it was by reason of my
absolute harmlessness; and, I suppose, because I was a vain fool, I
gradually began to gather hope--which goes with every vain man's
love--and what is more, actually climbed to the very apex of idiocy
and declared myself. I well knew the infinite distance between us; but
like every other man who came within the circle of this charming
lodestone I lost my head, and, in short, made a greater fool of myself
than I naturally was--which is saying a good deal for that time in my
life, God knows!

I knew vaguely but did not fairly realize how utterly beyond my reach
in every way she was until I opened the flood-gates of my passion--as
I thought it--and saw her smile, and try to check the coming laugh.
Then came a look of offended dignity, followed by a quick softening
glance.

"Leave me one friend, I pray you, Edwin. I value you too highly to
lose, and esteem you too much to torment. Do not make of yourself one
of those fools who feel, or pretend to feel, I care not which, such
preference for me. You cannot know in what contempt a woman holds a
man who follows her though she despises him. No man can beg a woman's
love; he must command it; do not join their ranks, but let us be good
friends. I will tell you the plain truth; it would be no different
were we both of the same degree; even then I could not feel toward you
as you think you wish, but I can be your friend, and will promise to
be that always, if you will promise never again to speak of this to
me."

I promised solemnly and have always kept my word, as this true,
gracious woman, so full of faults and beauties, virtues and failings,
has, ever since that day and moment, kept hers. It seemed that my
love, or what I supposed was love, left my heart at once, frozen in
the cold glint of her eyes as she smiled upon my first avowal;
somewhat as disease may leave the sickened body upon a great shock.
And in its place came the restful flame of a friend's love, which so
softly warms without burning. But the burning! There is nothing in
life worth having compared with it for all its pains and agonies. Is
there?

"Now if you must love somebody," continued the princess, "there is
Lady Jane Bolingbroke, who is beautiful and good, and admires you,
and, I think, could learn to----" but here the lady in question ran
out from behind the draperies, where, I believe, she had been
listening to it all, and