Alpha Book

What would you think if I were
not a little severe, I say? What conclusion would you come to, if I let
you take my hand as often as you pleased, and say whatever suggested
itself to your imagination--your very active imagination?"
"I should think you the most adorable of women--"
"But it is not my ambition to be thought the most adorable of women by
you, Prince Orsino."
"No--of course not. People never care for what they get without an
effort."
"You are absolutely irrepressible!" exclaimed Maria Consuelo, laughing
in spite of herself.
"And you do not like that! I will be meekness itself--a lamb, if you
please."
"Too playful--it would not suit your style."
"A stone--"
"I detest geology."
"A lap-dog, then. Make your choice, Madame. The menagerie of the
universe is at your disposal. When Adam gave names to the animals, he
could have called a lion a lap-dog--to reassure the Africans. But he
lacked imagination--he called a cat, a cat."
"That had the merit of simplicity, at all events.


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