Pagina 268 de 3800

The princess pondered awhile with a thoughtful smile and her

luminous eyes lit up so that her face was entirely transformed.

Then she suddenly rose and with her heavy tread went up to the

table. She took a sheet of paper and her hand moved rapidly over

it. This is the reply she wrote, also in French:

Dear and precious Friend, Your letter of the 13th has given me

great delight. So you still love me, my romantic Julie?

Separation, of which you say so much that is bad, does not seem

to have had its usual effect on you. You complain of our

separation. What then should I say, if I dared complain, I who am

deprived of all who are dear to me? Ah, if we had not religion to

console us life would be very sad. Why do you suppose that I

should look severely on your affection for that young man? On

such matters I am only severe with myself. I understand such

feelings in others, and if never having felt them I cannot

approve of them, neither do I condemn them. Only it seems to me

that Christian love, love of one's neighbor, love of one's enemy,

is worthier, sweeter, and better than the feelings which the

beautiful eyes of a young man can inspire in a romantic and

loving young girl like yourself.