, a dinner-party refreshes you! What would
not travel do, and that heavenly climate! You are a reader of history and
poetry. Well, poetry! I never yet saw the poetry that expressed the tenth part
of what I feel in the presence of beauty and magnificence, and when I really
meditate - profoundly. Call me a positive mind. I feel: only I feel too
intensely for poetry. By the nature of it, poetry cannot be sincere. I will have
sincerity. Whatever touches our emotions should be spontaneous, not a craft. I
know you are in favour of poetry. You would win me, if any one could. But
history! there I am with you. Walking over ruins: at night: the arches of the
solemn black amphitheatre pouring moonlight on us - the moonlight of Italy!«
    »You would not laugh there, Sir Willoughby?« said Lætitia, rousing herself
from a stupor of apprehensive amazement, to utter something and realize actual
circumstances.
    »Besides, you, I think, or I am mistaken in you --« he deviated from his
projected speech - »you are not a victim of the sense of association, and the
ludicrous.«
    »I can understand the influence of it: I have at least a conception of the
humourous: but ridicule would not strike me in the Coliseum of Rome. I could not
bear it, no, Sir Willoughby!«
    She appeared to be taking him in very strong earnest, by thus petitioning
him not to laugh in the Coliseum, and now he said: »Besides, you are one who
could accommodate yourself to the society of the ladies, my aunts. Good women,
Lætitia! I cannot imagine them de trop in Italy, or in a household. I have of
course reason to be partial in my judgement.«
    »They are excellent and most amiable ladies; I love them,« said Lætitia
fervently; the more strongly excited to fervour by her enlightenment as to his
drift.
    She read it, that he designed to take her to Italy with the ladies; - after
giving Miss Middleton her liberty; that was necessarily implied. And that was
truly generous. In his boyhood he had been famous for his bountifulness in
scattering silver and gold. Might he not have caused himself to be misperused in
later life?
    Clara had spoken to her of the visit and mission of the ladies to the
library: and Lætitia daringly conceived herself to be on the certain track of
his meaning, she being able to enjoy their society as she supposed him to
consider that Miss Middleton did