A FRAGMENT. 235 



a radiant blush stole over her features, lighting up their clear 

 transparent delicacy as though she had acquired a new and n\ore 

 exalted soul. 



" Tell me, Derwent, why you are so much in love with loneli- 

 ness. Society seems to scare you as if every friendly circle con- 

 tained a hidden basilisk." 



" All ! Mignonne, you do me wrong. I love society, the society 

 of one. I love gentleness, innocence, loveliness, and could I at 

 every moment claim your sweet companionship I should never be 

 in loneliness." 



'^ But you seem indifferent to the whole world." 



" I love all created things except man — the flowers of the field 

 smile upon me — the gushing streams and the singing birds have 

 always an anthem to cheer me, I have fellowship with the silent 

 forms of Nature ; and the interminable sea, which extends before 

 us laughing in the summer noon, has ever a new countenance and 

 a strange voice which makes society — with these I can sympathize 

 even to tears." 



" Is there no redeeming characteristic in your fellow men, which 

 could render them worthy of your mingling with them ? is it not 

 an imputation on Creative Wisdom to think so ill of our nature?" 



" Dear Mignonne, you have as yet seen but the fair side of life, 

 it has appeared with the freshness and fragrance of spring — it is 

 painful to destroy the illusions of so beautiful a dream. Who 

 would choose to remove the sculptured tablet which covers the 

 ashes of the dead ? Omnipotence made maji holy, he has made 

 himself what he is. Mignonne, I have lived in the world many 

 years longer than you ; I entered it with enthusiasm, and estimated 

 human nature falsely ; but I found Hypocrisy masked by Religion, 

 self-interest by friendship, and falsehood by truth. I am disgusted 

 with it, but still I would do mankind every good in my power — 

 I would assist the needy to the extent of my means, and protect 

 the helpless to the utmost of my capability; but I would avoid 

 an intimacy with that society which would ever induce a deeper 

 aversion to the selfish interests and unprincipled motives which 

 sway all its actions." 



*' Are you then so far exalted in purity of soul, and in integrity 

 of principle, as to take a stand in the scale of humanity so far 

 above your fellow beings ? dear Derwent, you must extinguish 

 such uncharitable thoughts of your species, or I shall be rendered 

 miserable." 



" My sweet love, forgive me if I have said any thing to hurt 

 your happy feelings. I would give a universe in exchange for 

 your equanimity — your peace of mind, — dear Mignonne." 



As it were by innocent instinct their lips met in a moment of 

 extreme rapture; and as though a pardon had been accorded by 

 that fond embrace, Derwent cast upon Mignonne an inexpressible 

 look of affection mingled with thanksgiving. 



"• Tell me, Derwent, why you should have less cheerfulness or 

 contentment than I have if — you have an abundance of worldly 



