often capable. But as this was the light in which they were to
show, so the essence of the matter would be that he should at the right moment
find them in his power, and so the situation would reach its highest interest
with the question of his utilisation of that knowledge. It would be here, in the
possession and application of his power, that he would come out strong and would
so deeply appeal to our sympathy. Here above all it really was, however, that my
conception unfurled, with the best conscience in the world, the emblazoned flag
of romance; which venerable ensign it had, though quite unwittingly, from the
first and at every point sported in perfect good faith. I had been plotting
arch-romance without knowing it, just as I began to write it that December day
without recognising it and just as I all serenely and blissfully pursued the
process from month to month and from place to place; just as I now, in short,
reading the book over, find it yields me no interest and no reward comparable to
the fond perception of this truth.
    The thing is consistently, consummately - and I would fain really make bold
to say charmingly - romantic; and all without intention, presumption,
hesitation, contrition. The effect is equally undesigned and unabashed, and I
lose myself, at this late hour, I am bound to add, in a certain sad envy of the
free play of so much unchallenged instinct. One would like to woo back such
hours of fine precipitation. They represent to the critical sense which the
exercise of one's whole faculty has, with time, so inevitably and so thoroughly
waked up, the happiest season of surrender to the invoked muse and the projected
fable: the season of images so free and confident and ready that they brush
questions aside and disport themselves, like the artless schoolboys of Gray's
beautiful Ode, in all the ecstasy of the ignorance attending them. The time
doubtless comes soon enough when questions, as I call them, rule the roost and
when the little victim, to adjust Gray's term again to the creature of frolic
fancy, doesn't dare propose a gambol till they have all (like a board of
trustees discussing a new outlay) sat on the possibly scandalous case. I somehow
feel, accordingly, that it was lucky to have sacrificed on this particular altar
while one still could; though it is perhaps droll - in a yet higher degree - to
have done so not simply because one was guileless, but even quite under the
conviction, in a general way, that