Part 17 (2/2)

A man will sometimes forsake the most beautiful of wives and a woman will forsake the kindest of husbands to follow recklessly one who admits no comparison with the one forsaken? All we can say is that

The potency of personality exceeds the potency of beauty. For, Powerful as is physical charm, it counts not for all in the matter of love. Yet what it may be that does count, and how and why it does count, no man living shall say. For

Is even love aware of all its seeks? And

Is it given to any to grant all that love beseeches? And yet

Were all love sought bestowed, what sequel?

Perhaps 't were well to leave love but semi-satisfied. At bottom the real question is this: What will win and keep me another heart? But

How to win and keep another heart, that is a thing has to be found out for oneself--if it be discoverable. And always by the experimental method. Since

In matters amatory, there is no a priori reasoning possible. All we know is that

There is nothing more potent than pa.s.sion. And

The chasm, which seems to innocence to yawn between virtue and frailty, is leapt by that Pegasus, Pa.s.sion, at a bound--but he blinds his rider in the feat.

In spite of the poesy of love, deeds are more potent than words; --though perhaps it is well to pave the way for the one by the other.

In spite, too of the piety of love, love laughs at promises--that is, the promises that affect it.

There is one miracle that women can always perform, and always it astonishes the man; it is this: to change from the recipient into the appellant. That is to say,

When woman, usually regarded as the receiver, becomes the giver,--or rather the demander,--man's wonderment surpa.s.ses words. And let it be remembered that

There is no re-crossing this Rubicon.

Mistrust a prolonged and obdurate resistance. Either you are out-cla.s.sed, or you are out-experienced. And, besides,

Surrender after prolonged resistance rarely is brought about by emotion.

A woman never really quite detests daring. This is why Much is a forgiving a daring man. So, too,

Much is forgiven a pretty woman ?by the men.

If the beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water, the beginning of love is as when one kindleth a fire.

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