Page:Letters of Life.djvu/252

240 the singing of songs to which our voices became admirably trained, were often the amusement of our evening visits. We gave no entertainment to the animal appetites. It was not expected. Almost children as we were, this Platonic intercourse was genial and elevating. Any slight preference that chanced to reveal itself, caused no disturbance in this sweet preface to the history of life.

But as years glided onward, with their changes, I was no stranger to the language of love, nor unsusceptible to its sentiment. Manly beauty and grace I appreciated, but the chief attraction was in intellect and knowledge. My most valued associates were of the latter order. I had also a penchant for the company of men considerably older than myself. This arose from several motives. I had always been taught to respect seniority. I gained from their experience more information, and felt secretly more at ease in their company, because I thought there could be no suspicion of their partiality, or of my seeking to create it. Ever had I been exceedingly sensitive to aught that bore the appearance of forwardness in my own sex. It seemed to me treason against their native refinement and their allotted sphere. So I still think; and, however the modes of association may vary with differing generations, can never respect any woman who boldly seeks the attentions, or invades their province whose part it is to make advances, to legislate, and to bear rule.