Page:Later Life (1919).djvu/57

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THE LATER LIFE
49

like Emilie and Van Raven: I think it dreadful. Or like you and Auntie: I should think it dreadful. Can't you be happier together? Not even for Addie's sake? I wish you could; it would make me so happy. I can't bear it, when you and Auntie quarrel . . . She was sweet and gentle to-night, but so very quiet. She is so nice . . . That was a mad fit of hers, to go abroad so suddenly; but then she had had so much to vex her. Oh, those two old aunts: I could have murdered them! I can hear them now! . . . Poor Auntie! Do try and be a little nice to her . . . Has this been going on between you for years? Don't you love each other any longer? . . . No, I sha'n't marry, I sha'n't marry, I shall never marry."

"Come, Marianne: if some one comes along whom you get to love . . ."

"No, I shall never marry . . . I might expect too much of my husband. I should really want to find something beautiful, some great joy, in my love . . . and to marry for the sake of marrying, like Frances or Emilie, is a thing I couldn't, couldn't do . . . Otto is fonder of Louise than of his wife; and lately Emilie and Henri are inseparable . . . In our family there has always been that affection between brother and sister. But it is too strong, far too strong. It doesn't make them happy. I've never felt it in that way, fond as I am of my brothers . . . No, I should place the