Page:Romance & Reality 3.pdf/113

Rh of first love—which, after all, is the only one that has those high ideal qualities ascribed to love—she could not be always "sadly thinking" of him. She thought of him whenever she saw any thing beautiful in art or nature—love links itself with the lovely: she thought of him when she sang the songs he had liked, or that she thought he would like: when they spoke of affection before her, it ever recalled her own: she turned the page of the poet as the mirror, which gave back her feelings: in short, she thought of him when she was sick, sullen, or sorry. Still, there were times when the natural gladness of youth burst into mirthfulness, and

At such times Cecil was quite sure he was in love. Constancy is made up of a series of small inconstancies, which never come to any thing; and the heart takes credit for its loyalty, because in the long-run it ends where it began. I doubt whether the most devoted fidelity would bear strict examination as to the short reposes even the most entire fealty permits itself. Lady Mandeville, if not the keeper of Emily's conscience, took some care of her constancy. She had quite made up her mind, that a