hat I cannot be yours. Two sentiments divide and
inspire the love of all the women of the earth. Either they devote
themselves to suffering, degraded, and criminal beings whom they desire
to console, uplift, redeem; or they give themselves to superior men,
sublime and strong, whom they adore and seek to comprehend, and by whom
they are often annihilated. You have been degraded, though now you are
purified by the fires of repentance, and to-day you are once more noble;
but I know myself too feeble to be your equal, and too religious to bow
before any power but that On High. I may refer thus to your life, my
friend, for we are in the North, among the clouds, where all things are
abstractions."

"You stab me, Seraphita, when you speak like this. It wounds me to hear
you apply the dreadful knowledge with which you strip from all things
human the properties that time and space and form have given them,
and consider them mathematically in the abstract, as geometry treats
substances from which it extracts solidity."

"Well, I will respect your wishes, Wilfrid. Let the subject drop. Tell
me what you think of this bearskin rug which my poor David has spread
out."

"It is very handsome."

"Did you ever see me wear this 'doucha greka'?"

She pointed to a pelisse made of cashmere and lined with the skin of the
black fox,--the name she gave it signifying "warm to the soul."

"Do you believe that any sovereign has a fur that can equal it?" she
asked.

"It is worthy of her who wears it."

"And whom you think beautiful?"

"Human words do not apply to her. Heart to heart is the only language I
can use."

"Wilfrid, you are kind to soothe my griefs with such sweet words--which
you have said to others."

"Farewell!"

"Stay. I love both you and Minna, believe me. To me you two are as one
being. United thus you can be my brother or, if you will, my sister.
Marry her; let me see you both happy before I leave this world of trial
and of pain. My God! the simplest of women obtain what they ask of a
lover; they whisper 'Hush!' and he is silent; 'Die' and he dies; 'Love
me afar' and he stays at a distance, like courtiers before a king! All
I desire is to see you happy, and you refuse me! Am I then
powerless?--Wilfrid, listen, come nearer to me. Yes, I should grieve to
see you marry Minna but--when I am here no longer, then--promise me to
marry her; heaven destined you for each other."

"I listen to you with fascination, Seraphita