Page:The Clergyman's Wife.djvu/13

Rh woman's character is to be characterless." We think his somewhat startling assertion admits of interpretation. When all the attributes that compose a character are in such complete unison that they form a smooth and lovely whole, without the sharp prominence of any one trait, perfection is approached. This coherency, this harmony, this perfect balance characterized Amy's mental organization.

Amy had only one answer for those alarmed relatives and friends who came, with their worldly reasonings, to convince her of the folly of her choice. An answer full of maidenly, uncalculating simplicity. She loved him, she replied; he was the only man who had the power to inspire her with love; when he asked her for her heart, he only claimed that which was already his own.

Amy's attachment was not the capricious, evanescent, unaccountable emotion which is falsely dignified as "love;" not that mere physical, sensuous attraction which makes so many women cling to men they know not why. Amy loved the attributes of her lover's soul, the qualities of his mind and heart that make up the true man and shine through his exterior. She knew what she loved.

As to Ethan Midmay's ill health, which was urged as one objection to her union with him, it only awakened her tenderness; and the smiling patience with which bodily infirmities were borne