Page:Ethel Churchill 3.pdf/94

92 a sort of imagination of one; but it is a phantom which flits at the cockcrowing of reality. We soon learn, and we value a lover by the estimate of others, not by our own. Our own suffrage is nothing." "This is making love a mere question of vanity," said Henrietta. "A question, my dear, I should have thought you could have answered as well as any one," returned Lady Mary. "Love is society's Alexander the Great, only intent on making conquests; and we care for no captives but those who follow the track of our triumphs in chains." "I utterly disagree with you," exclaimed Henrietta; "I have always thought mystery the very atmosphere of love!" "Oh! you would like a cavalier, with the dramatic accompaniments of moonlight and mask. Well, the two first are quite ready;