'Tis that best gift, eternal Love!'


'What have you there?' said Mr. Mohun, who had come towards them
while Claude was reading the lines. Taking the paper from Claude's
hand, he read it to himself, and then saying, 'Tolerable, Lily; there
are some things to alter, but you may easily make it passable,' he
went on to his own place, leaving Lilias triumphant.

'Well, Claude, you see I have the great Baron on my side.'

'I am of the Baron's opinion,' said Claude, 'the only wonder is that
you doubted it.'

'You seemed to say that love was good for nothing.'

'I said nothing but that Lily has a rhyme.'

'And saying that I was silly, was equivalent to saying that love was
nothing,' said Lily.

'O Lily, I hope not,' said Claude, with a comical air.

'Well, I know I often am foolish, but not in this,' said Lily; 'I do
say that mere duty is not lovable.'

'Say it if you will then,' said Claude, yawning, 'only let me finish
this sermon.'

Lily set herself to reconsider some of her lines: but presently