‘Never,’ said Madge, ‘as long as it does not weary of the thing itself, and it is not likely to do that. Fancy a young man and a young woman stopping short and exclaiming, “This is just what every son of Adam and daughter of Eve has gone through before; why should we proceed?” Besides, it is the one emotion common to the whole world; we can all comprehend it. Once more, it reveals character. In _Hamlet_ and _Othello_, for example, what is interesting is not solely the bare love. The natures of Hamlet and Othello are brought to light through it as they would not have been through any other stimulus. I am sure that no ordinary woman ever shows what she really is, except when she is in love. Can you tell what she is from what she calls her religion, or from her friends, or even from her husband?’ ‘Would it not be equally just to say women are more alike in love than in anything else? Mind, I do not say alike, but more alike. Is it not the passion which levels us all?’ ‘Oh, mother, mother! did one ever hear such dreadful blasphemy? That the loves, for example, of two such cultivated, exquisite creatures as Clara and myself would be nothing different from those of the barmaids next door?’ ‘Well, at anyrate, I do not want to see _my_ children in love to understand what they are—to me at least.’ ‘Then, if you comprehend us so completely—and let us have no more philosophy—just tell me, should I make a good actress? Oh! to be able to sway a thousand human beings into tears or laughter! It must be divine.’ ‘No, I do not think you would,’ replied Clara. ‘Why not, miss? _Your_ opinion, mind, was not asked. Did I not act to perfection last night?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Then why are you so decisive?’ ‘Try a different part some day. I may be mistaken.’ ‘You are very oracular.’ She turned to the piano, played a few chords, closed the instrument, swung herself round on the music stool, and said she should go for a walk. CHAPTER VIII