The obvious
reason is the insane state of the brain. Nature has suddenly impressed
that organ with the one idea that a certain fair maid is actually
without the faults of her associates. She is the prize of the whole
world! Had the world the information of her perfections which is lodged
in this young man's secret brain, there would be a war of extermination
for her possession--a second sack of Troy at the very least. Deep pity
for other men with wives, who cannot marry this maiden, and pity for
young men who have seemingly preferred other maidens, intermit with joy
that all the world has been so blind.
CAUTIOUSLY THE YOUTH ADVANCES
toward his prey. The expedition is one of tremendous importance,
therefore his exceeding amount of thought. When he is in the ineffable
presence, he is there as an actor in a tragedy, or as a tenor in an
opera. He has almost counted his hairs; he certainly counts the winkings
of his eyelids! Can any detail be unimportant in an undertaking of such
measureless risk? It is no wonder, then, that a young man who is giving
as much thought as this to a young, thoughtless girl is not worth much
in his business for the time being! In fact, it is a miracle to him,
after
SOME DOOMFUL FROWN
from his queen, that he has survived the night and goes to his work at
all! He is confident that it is base habit.
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