If I were, you would want to marry me, and that would be fatal." The divine, sound sense of the dear woman! Honour would compel the offer.

Its acceptance would bring disaster.
Marriage has two aspects.

The one, a social contract, a _quid_ of protection, maintenance, position and what not, for a _quo_ of the various services that may be conveniently epitomized in the phrase _de mensa et thoro_.

The other, the only possible existence for two beings whose passionate, mutual attraction demands the perfect fusion of their two existences into a common life.

Now to this passionate attraction I have never become, and, having no temperament (thank Heaven!), shall never become, a party.