_The Rev. Dr. Opimian._ It is vain to make schemes of life. The world will have its slaves, and so will Love. Say, if you can, in what you cannot change. For such the mind of man, as is the day The Sire of Gods and men brings over him.{4} 1 (Greek passage)--Antigone. 2 Bidental is usually a place struck by lightning: thence enclosed, and the soil forbidden to be moved. Persius uses it for a person so killed. 3 Wordsworth: The Brothers. 4 Quid placet aut odio est, quod non mutabile credas? (Greek phrase) These two quotations form the motto of Knight's Principles of Taste. _Mr. Falconer._ I presume, doctor, from the complacency with which you speak of Love, you have had no cause to complain of him. _The Rev. Dr. Opimian._ Quite the contrary. I have been an exception to the rule that 'The course of true love never did run smooth.' Nothing could run more smooth than mine. I was in love. I proposed. I was accepted. No crossings before. No bickerings after. I drew a prize in the lottery of marriage. _Mr. Falconer._ It strikes me, doctor, that the lady may say as much. _The Rev. Dr. Opimian._ I have made it my study to give her cause to say so. And I have found my reward. _Mr. Falconer._ Still, yours is an exceptional case. For, as far as my reading and limited observation have shown me, there are few happy marriages. It has been said by an old comic poet that 'a man who brings a wife into his house, brings into it with her either a good or an evil genius.'{1} And I may add from Juvenal: 'The Gods only know which it will be.'{2} 1 (Greek passage) Theodectes: apud Stobaeum. 2 Conjugium petimus partumque uxoris, at illis Notum, qui pueri, qualisque futura sit uxor. JUV. Sat. x. 352-3. _The Rev. Dr. Opimian._ Well, the time advances for the rehearsals of our Aristophanic comedy, and, independently of your promise to visit the Grange, and their earnest desire to see you, you ought to be there to assist in the preliminary arrangements. _Mr. Falconer._ Before you came, I had determined not to go; for, to tell you the truth, I am afraid of falling in love. _The Rev. Dr. Opimian._ It is not such a fearful matter. Many have been the better for it. Many have been cured of it. It is one of those disorders which every one must have once. _Mr. Falconer._ The later the better. _The Rev. Dr. Opimian_. No; the later the worse, if it falls into a season when it cannot be reciprocated. _Mr. Falconer._ That is just the season for it. If I were sure that it would not be reciprocated, I think I should be content to have gone through it. _The Rev. Dr. Opimian._ Do you think it would be reciprocated? _Mr. Falconer._ Oh no. I only think it possible that it might be. _The Rev. Dr. Opimian._ Well, there is a gentleman doing his best to bring about your wish. _Mr. Falconer._ Indeed! Who?