"Perhaps so," said Miss Vernon, "for alas! how ignominiously physical are the causes of many a tenderly poetic mood! not that I am at all addicted to such, but—"
"I think it is a mistake to consider everything physical, as despicable," observed Gilpin; "we hear of mere physical force, mere physical wants; but the same hand made and blended our two natures, and we shall be happy and healthy, in proportion as we train both to work in harmony, without giving undue preference to either."
"I often think we have a species of trinity within us," said Miss Vernon. "We have sense with all its powerful tendencies in one direction, and spirit with its aspirations in another, while the heart and its affections seem to be neutral ground, where the claims of both may be adjusted."
"I like the fancy; but sense gets the upper hand in many a heart."
"No," interrupted Kate, "the heart may be destroyed in the struggle, but while it exists, the spirit always has fair play."
"Your sentence is too sweeping; in all such warfare, the variations are so delicately shaded that—"
"Walk in, Colonel," broke in Winter; "never mind if Mrs. Winter is in or not; Gilpin, we'll have some Scotch broth for luncheon, that will set you up. I give you no choice—in you must come."
"Sense must carry the day, Mr. Gilpin," said Kate, smiling.