—dum fata, sînunt. jungamus amores:      mox veniet tenebris. Mors adoperta caput:
     jam subrepet incra otas, nee amare deeebii,
     dicere nee ucuio blandîtias capite.
 
     Let us, while Fate allows, in love combine,
     Ere our last night its shade around us throw,
     Or Ages slow-creeping quench¹ the fire divine,
     And tender words befit not locks of snow.
The shuttlecock had been some time on the wing, struck to and fro with unerring aim, and to all appearances would never have touched the ground, if Lord Curryfin had not seen, or fancied he saw, symptoms of fatigue² on the part of his fair antagonist³. He therefore, instead of returning the shuttlecock, struck it upward, caught it in his hand, and presented it to her, saying, 'I give in. The victory is yours.' She answered, 'The victory is yours, as it always is, in courtesy.'
 
She said this with a melancholy⁴ smile, more fascinating to him than the most radiant expression from another. She withdrew to the drawing-room, motioning to him not to follow.
 
In the drawing-room she found Miss Gryll, who appeared to be reading; at any rate, a book was open before her.
 
Miss Gryll. You did not see me just now, as I passed through the hall. You saw only two things: the shuttlecock, and your partner in the game.
 
Miss Niphet.. It is not possible to play, and see anything but the shuttlecock.
 
Miss Gryll. And the hand that strikes it.
 
Miss Niphet.. That comes unavoidably into sight.
 
Miss Gryll. My dear Alice, you are in love, and do not choose to confess it.
 
Miss Niphet.. I have no right to be in love with your suitor.
 
Miss Gryll. He was my suitor, and has not renounced⁵ his pursuit; but he is your lover. I ought to have seen long ago, that from the moment his eyes rested on you all else was nothing to him. With all that habit of the world which enables men to conceal⁶ their feelings in society, with all his exertion⁷ to diffuse⁸ his attentions as much as possible among all the young ladies in his company, it must have been manifest to a careful observer, that when it came, as it seemed in ordinary course, to be your turn to be attended to, the expression of his features was changed from complacency and courtesy to delight and admiration⁹. I could not have failed to see it, if I had not been occupied with other thoughts. Tell me candidly¹⁰, do you not think it is so?
 
Miss Niphet. Indeed, my dear Morgana, I did not designedly enter into rivalry¹¹ with you; but I do think you conjecture¹² rightly.
 
Miss Gryll. And if he were free to offer himself to you, and if he did so offer himself, you would accept him?
 
Miss Niphet.. Assuredly I would.
 
Miss Gryll. Then, when you next see him, he shall be free. I have set my happiness on another cast, and I will stand the hazard of the die.
 
Miss Niphet.. You are very generous, Morgana: for I do not think you give up what you do not value.
 
Miss Gryll. No, indeed. I value him highly. So much so, that I have hesitated, and might have finally inclined to him, if I had not perceived his invincible¹³ preference of you. I am sorry, for your sake and his, that I did not clearly perceive it sooner; but you see what it is to be spoiled by admirers. I did not think it possible that any one could be preferred to me. I ought to have thought it possible, but I had no experience in that direction. So now you see a striking specimen¹⁴ of mortified¹⁵ vanity.
 
Miss Niphet.. You have admirers in abundance, Morgana: more than have often fallen to the lot of the most attractive young women. And love is such a capricious thing, that to be the subject of it is no proof of superior merit. There are inexplicable¹⁶ affinities¹⁷ of sympathy, that make up an irresistible¹⁸ attraction, heaven knows how.
 
Miss Gryll. And these inexplicable affinities Lord Curryfin has found in you, and you in him.
 
Miss Niphet.. He has never told me so.
 
Miss Gryll. Not in words: but looks and actions have spoken for him. You have both struggled to conceal your feelings from others, perhaps even from yourselves. But you are both too ingenuous¹⁹ to dissemble successfully. You suit each other thoroughly²⁰: and I have no doubt you will find in each other the happiness I most cordially wish you.
 
Miss Gryll soon found an opportunity of conversing²¹ with Lord Curryfin, and began with him somewhat sportively: 'I have been thinking,' she said, 'of an old song which contains a morsel²² of good advice—
 
     Be sure to be off with the old love,
     Before you are on with the new.
You begin by making passionate²³ love to me, and all at once you turn round to one of my young friends, and say, "Zephyrs²⁴ whisper how I love you."'
 
Lord Curryfin. Oh no! no, indeed. I have not said that, nor anything to the same effect.
 
Miss Gryll. Well, if you have not exactly said it, you have implied it. You have looked it. You have felt it. You cannot conceal it. You cann............