'And what do you infer?'
'That Venetia, a woman, is as beautiful as Venetia, a little girl; and should be as happy.'
'Is beauty happiness, Plantagenet?'
'It makes others happy, Venetia; and when we make others happy we should be happy ourselves.'
'Few depend upon my influence, and I trust all of them are happy.'
'No one depends upon your influence more than I do.'
'Well, then, be happy always.'
'Would that I might! Ah, Venetia! can I ever forget old days? You were the solace of my dark childhood; you were the charm that first taught me existence was enjoyment. Before I came to Cherbury I never was happy, and since that hour—Ah, Venetia! dear, dearest Venetia! who is like to you?'
'Dear Plantagenet, you were always too kind to me. Would we were children once more!'
'Nay, my own Venetia! you tell me everything changes, and we must not murmur at the course of nature. I would not have our childhood back again, even with all its joys, for there are others yet in store for us, not less pure, not less beautiful. We loved each other then, Venetia, and we love each other now.'