other lives as good or better. Not, you
will understand, that I condemn those who give themselves up to it more entirely
than I, for myself, should deem it wise to do.«
    It irritated me, this self-complacent, condescending, qualified approval and
criticism of a system to which many individuals - perhaps as highly endowed as
our gorgeous Zenobia - had contributed their all of earthly endeavor, and their
loftiest aspirations. I determined to make proof if there were any spell that
would exorcise her out of the part which she seemed to be acting. She should be
compelled to give me a glimpse of something true; some nature, some passion, no
matter whether right or wrong, provided it were real.
    »Your allusion to that class of circumscribed characters, who can live only
in one mode of life,« remarked I, coolly, »reminds me of our poor friend
Hollingsworth. Possibly, he was in your thoughts, when you spoke thus. Poor
fellow! It is a pity that, by the fault of a narrow education, he should have so
completely immolated himself to that one idea of his; especially as the
slightest modicum of common-sense would teach him its utter impracticability.
Now that I have returned into the world, and can look at his project from a
distance, it requires quite all my real regard for this respectable and
well-intentioned man to prevent me laughing at him - as, I find, society at
large does!«
    Zenobia's eyes darted lightning; her cheeks flushed; the vividness of her
expression was like the effect of a powerful light, flaming up suddenly within
her. My experiment had fully succeeded. She had shown me the true flesh and
blood of her heart, by thus involuntarily resenting my slight, pitying,
half-kind, half-scornful mention of the man who was all in all with her. She
herself, probably, felt this; for it was hardly a moment before she
tranquillized her uneven breath, and seemed as proud and self-possessed as ever.
    »I rather imagine,« said she, quietly, »that your appreciation falls short
of Mr. Hollingsworth's just claims. Blind enthusiasm, absorption in one idea, I
grant, is generally ridiculous, and must be fatal to the respectability of an
ordinary man; it requires a very high and powerful character, to make it
otherwise. But a great man - as, perhaps, you do not know - attains his normal
condition only through the inspiration of one great idea. As a friend of Mr.
Hollingsworth, and