u know that, let one deal in abstractions as long as he will, he
is only skirmishing around special instances. It is out of what I glean
from individuals I make up my generalities.'

'Am I to understand by this that I have supplied you with the material of
one of these reflections?'

'You have given me the subject of many. If I were to tell you how often I
have thought of you, I could not answer for the words in which I might tell
it.'

'Do not tell it, then.'

'I know--I am aware--I have heard since I came here that there is a special
reason why you could not listen to me.'

'And being so, why do you propose that I should hear you?'

'I will tell you,' said he, with an earnestness that almost startled
her: 'I will tell you, because there are things on which a doubt or an
equivocation are actually maddening; and I will not, I cannot, believe that
you have accepted Cecil Walpole.'

'Will you please to say why it should seem so incredible?'

'Because I have seen you not merely in admiration, and that admiration
would be better conveyed by a stronger word; and because I have measured
you with others infinitely beneath you in every way, and who are yet
soaring into very high regions indeed; because I have learned enough of the
world to know that alongside of--often above--the influence that men are
wielding in life by their genius and their capacity, there is another power
exercised by women of marvellous beauty, of infinite attractions, and
exquisite grace, which sways and moulds the fate of mankind far more than
Cabinets and Councils. There are not above half a dozen of these in Europe,
and you might be one added to the number.'

'Even admitting all this--and I don't see that I should go so far--it is no
answer to my question.'

'Must I then say there can be no--not companionship, that's not the word;
no, I must take the French expression, and call it _solidarite_--there can
be no _solidarite_ of interests, of objects, of passions, or of hopes,
between people so widely dissevered as you and Walpole. I am so convinced
of this, that still I can dare to declare I cannot believe you could marry
him.'

'And if I were to tell you it were true?'

'I should still regard it as a passing caprice, that the mere mention of
to-morrow would offend you. It is no disparagement of Walpole to say he is
unworthy of you, for who would be worthy? but the presumption of his daring
is enough to excite indignation--at least, I feel