Page:Language of the Eye.djvu/123

Rh CHAPTER XV.

LOVE.

wears a glowing, full eye, which imparts its corruscations to all around. The presence of love warms and awakens to all social amenities. The eye-brows generally expand towards the temples; there is a very seductive expression produced from the elevation of the lower lid; the iris glistens, as though beaming in humid pearls; confidence sits gallantly enthroned in the enlarged pupil; the soul cannot be seen, but many a trickling diamond tells of the inward delights. The motion of the eye is slow and easy, except when love is embittered with fear, or doubt, or jealousy; and then it is very uncertain in its motion, as it is no longer a principle, but a passion, full of fitful and rapid vigilance. Sometimes, even then, contemplation bends over the eye, like an eagle overlooking some deep ravine, watching for its prey, or sullenly listening to the rolling cataract below: then, the brows become corrugated, and the upper lid droops and moves sadly slow; the celia bend downwards, the iris loses its tension, the pupil seems powerless, and as though its occupation was over. Withal there is too much sweetness remaining for the eye to appear in any way disagreeable, though the frown of melancholy casts many a dark shadow; here, as ever, this beautiful mirror faithfully indicates the feelings.

Love is a state of mind, which may be termed settled