“I hardly know how to reply,” he said. “I own I am a beauty-worshiper; but then I admire intellect too, and I do not believe I could see any permanent charm in beauty unadorned by the graces of a superior mind.”
“Then you declare in favor of mind?”
“I suppose so, if you compel me to make a choice.”
“I thought you would,” she said, and a soft little sigh ended the words.
His keen ear caught it.
“Why did you sigh, Sweetheart?”
“Did I? Oh, I suppose I was wishing that I was very clever. But I am always wishing that, only I know I never can be. I am too fond of dancing and theaters, and all those giddy things that clever people scorn.”
“The cleverest people like those things just as well as you do, child, only they can find pleasure in other things, too, and so, I suppose, can you. You have not had many dissipations since you came to Jacksonville, yet you have seemed to be happy.”
“I have been. It is such a lovely place. I enjoy it so much. But I should have been content even if it had not been so charming. I try always to make my own sunshine,” she said, smiling.
“And while you are making your own you shed some on the paths of others. You have made my life brighter since you came, Sweetheart.”