"On the contrary," said her brother. "It is _I_ who have been so often matter-of-fact; _you_ have always been steeped in love, so much so, in fact, that you have idealised and nursed illusions for the sake of your beloved ones. Don’t you know-- Poets are all who love, who feel great truths And tell them, and the truth of truths is love. Yes," continued Norman, humbly, "you are before me, Alice, in the great race, because through your life--as through Doris’s--the golden thread of Love leads you and dominates your actions. Not the mere lover’s love for one, but a noble enthusiasm and love for all who are near and dear to you." THE END. _Printed by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury_