Page:Neuroomia.djvu/204

Rh civilization during the whole time the sun was shining. Then, during the opposite half of the year, I led a secluded life, meditating over what I had seen, and writing books. Now if I changed my condition, in the first instance, I should have to abandon going on these expeditions; but I have got to love them, to love living alone and away from the haunts of men, surrounded only by Nature, and listening to her whisperings, and again, during the period of twilight, I could not expect to devote the amount of time to literary work that I do at present."

"Might not your wife be induced to take an interest in many things that interest you?" I observed.

"Yes," was the answer, "quite probably; but I consider that it would be selfish to anticipate it. "We shall take a case in point," he continued, "and assume that I am about to marry Delemia. What right have I to expect that she should become reconciled to my mode of life, any more than I to the stage?" He went on, "I think it would be selfishness on my part to arrive at a foregone conclusion concerning her profession, or any enjoyments that she has known. No, I would rather remain in my present state, than be the means of