One day at dinner-time, shortly afterwards, Paul came in radiant.
'Oh holy, oh happy event!' he exclaimed; 'all will go right at last.'
Virginia inquired anxiously what had happened, and Paul informed her that the curate, who had got more drunk than usual that afternoon, had fallen over a cliff, and been dashed to pieces.
'What event,' he asked, 'could be more charming more unspeakably holy? It bears about it every mark of sanctity. It is for the greatest happiness of the greatest number. Come,' he continued, 'let you and me together, purged of sin, and purged of sorrow as we are—let us begin our love-feast. Let us each seek the happiness of the other. Let us instantly be sublime and happy.'
CHAPTER XIII.
'The supreme moment is come,' said Paul solemnly, as they sat down to dinner. 'Let us prepare ourselves for realising to the full the essential dignity of Humanity—that grand être, which has come, in the course of progress, to consist of you and me. Virginia, consider this. Every condition of happiness that modern thinkers have dreamed of is now fulfilled. We have but to seek each the happiness of the other, and we shall both be in a solemn, a significant, and unspeakable state of rapture. See, here is an exquisite leg of mutton. I,' said Paul, who liked the fat best, 'I will give up all the fat to you.'
'And I,' said Virginia, resignedly, 'will give up all the lean to you,'
A few mouthfuls made Virginia feel sick. 'I confess,' said she, 'I can't get on with this fat.'
'I confess,' the Professor answered, 'I don't exactly like this lean.'