I remained some
time near them, listening to their conversation, and joining in
occasionally. Never before had I seen him appear so well, nor her to
such poor advantage. She tried to act a part--he was himself. I
noticed, as he led the conversation, that he kept away from the
esthetic, and held her thought in the region of moral causes; that
he dwelt on the ends and purposes of life, as involving everything.
Now and then she essayed a feeble argument, or met some of his
propositions with light banter. But with a word he obliterated the
sophism--and with a glance repressed the badinage. I think she could
never before have so felt the superiority of this man, whose pure
love--almost worship--she had put aside as a thing of light
importance; and I think the interview helped him in the work upon
which he had entered, that of obliterating from his heart all traces
of her image.
After this interview, they did not draw together again during the
evening. Delia tried to be gay and indifferent; but he acted himself
out just as he was. I did not observe that he was more social than
usual, or that he mingled more than was his wont with the young
ladies present.
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