Emily left the room, Claude looked up, and Lily exclaimed, 'Now,
Claude, let us make a trial of it.'

'Well,' said Claude, yawning again, and looking resigned.

'Think how Eleanor went on telling us of duty, duty, duty--never
making allowances--never relaxing her stiff rules about trifles--
never unbending from her duenna-like dignity--never showing one spark
of enthusiasm--making great sacrifices, but only because she thought
them her duty--because it was right--good for herself--only a higher
kind of selfishness--not because her feeling prompted her.'

'Certainly, feeling does not usually prompt people to give up their
lovers for the sake of their brothers and sisters.'

'She did it because it was her duty,' said Lily, 'quite as if she did
not care.'

'I wonder whether Frank thought so,' said Claude.

'At any rate you will confess that Emily is a much more engaging
person,' said Lily.

'Certainly, I had rather talk nonsense to her,' said Claude.

'You feel it, though you will not allow it,' said Lily. 'Now think
of Emily's sympathy, and gentleness, and sweet smile, and tell me if
she is not a complete personification of love. And then Eleanor,
unpoetical--never thrown off her balance by grief or joy, with no ups
and downs--no enthusiasm--no appreciation of the beautiful--her