"In one of the books I got upon the subject it said all marriages were karmic debts or rewards. I wonder what our marriage is, don't you? Perhaps we were two enemies who injured each other, and now have to make up by being of use, each to each." "Probably," she was looking down. "Do you ever have that strange feeling that you are searching for something all the time, something of the soul, that you are unsatisfied?" "Yes, often." "Read those last verses again." Her voice is the most beautiful I have ever heard, modulated, expressive, filled with vibrant vitality and feeling, but this is the first time she has read anything appertaining to love. I could hear that she was restraining all emphasis, and trying to give the sensuous passionate words a commonplace cold interpretation. Never before has she read so monotonously. I knew, ("sensed" is the modern word), that this was because she probably felt and understood every line and did not want to let me see it. Suddenly I found myself becoming suffused with emotion. Why all the delay, the fencing, the fighting, to obtain this desired thing! This woman--my mate! That she is my mate I know. My mate because my love is not based upon the senses alone, but is founded upon reverence and respect. I hope--believe--I _am certain_ that we shall one day realize the truth of the words: "When some strong-souls shall conquer their division, And two shall be as one eternally! Finding at last upon each others breasts Unutterable calm and infinite rest." For me, that means love, not the mere gratifying of the hunting instinct, not the mere primitive passion for the longed for body, but a union of the souls, which can be satisfied, having soared beyond the laws of change. What is it which causes unrest? Obviously because something is wanting upon one of the planes on which we love, and so that part which is unsatisfied, unconsciously struggles to have its hunger assuaged elsewhere. There is no aspect of mind, body and soul in me, which I feel would find no counterpart in Alathea. If I reached out to any height spiritually, she could go as high, or higher. The cleverest working of the brain I could hope to manifest would find a complete comprehension in her. And as for the body! Any student of physiognomy can see that those delicate little nostrils show passion, and that cupid's bow of a mouth will delight in kisses! Oh! My loved one, do not make we wait too long! * * * * * Ye Gods! What a state of exaltation I was in when I wrote those lines last night! But they are the truth, even if I now laugh at my expansion! I wonder how many men are romantic underneath like I am and ashamed to show it? When Alathea had finished the verses for the second time, she again dropped the book in her lap. "What is your conception of love?" I asked casually.