Page:A Virgin Heart.pdf/105

Rh People have no time to learn to admire, but one can very quickly learn to respect. The intelligence is docile, but taste is recalcitrant."

"But aren't there such things," Rose asked, "as spontaneous admirations?"

"Yes," said Leonor, "there's love."

"Then is admiration the same as love?"

"If they don't yet love, people come very near loving when they admire."

"And is love admiration?"

"Not always."

"Love," said M. Hervart, "is compatible with almost all other feelings, even with hatred."

"Yes," replied Leonor, "that has the appearance of being true, for there are many kinds of love. The love that struggles with hatred can only be a love inspired by interest or sensuality."

"One never knows. I hold that love, just as it is capable of taking any shape or form, can devour all other feelings and install itself in their place. It comes and it goes, without one's ever being able to understand the mechanism of its movements. It lasts two hours or a whole life. . . ."