The Young Queens 
itself, or from the force whence that being 
draws life? I will not say “it matters but 
little,” for, on the contrary, to know the 
answer were of supreme importance to us. 
But, in the meantime, and till we shall learn 
whether it be the flower that endeavours 
to maintain and perfect the life that nature 
has placed within it, or whether it be na- 
ture that puts forth an effort to maintain 
and improve the degree of existence the 
flower has assumed, or finally whether it 
be chance that ultimately governs chance, 
a multitude of semblances invite us to 
believe that something equal to our lof- 
tiest thoughts issues at times from a com- 
mon source, that we are compelled to 
admire without knowing where it resides. 
There are moments when what seems 
error to us comes forth from this com- 
mon source. But, although we know 
‘very few things, proofs abound that the 
seeming error was in reality an act of 
19 280 
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