I had read somewhere an aphorism that everything may be false to itself save human nature.

A house might elongate or enlarge itself--or seem to do so to a gentleman who had been dining.
The ocean might dry up, the rocks melt in the sun, the stars fall from heaven like autumn apples; and there was nothing in these incidents to boggle the philosopher.

But the case of the young lady stood upon a different foundation.

Girls were not good enough, or not good that way, or else they were too good.

I was ready to accept any of these views: all pointed to the same conclusion, which I was thus already on the point of reaching, when a fresh argument occurred, and instantly confirmed it.