Anne Douglas Sedgwick

“ Spring cannot return to us again and again? It is with our hearts as with nature; a renewal; a discovery of fresh beauty. And since we are all different, with each new love there is the discovery of new beauty.”
“Love to me means nothing—worse than nothing—unless it means dedication; permanence; unity,” said Giles.
“Ah, but then it ceases to be love,” said monsieur de Maubert, “and becomes duty, affection, the joys and cares of the foyer; what the wives—if they are fortunate—may count on. A young man like you is surely aware of the difference between love the passion, and love the affection. ”

“ A man of honour will do all in his power for the woman who has been dear to him; who may still be dear. Affection and trust may still be there, though passion has burned itself away.”
“That must fill your time,” Giles muttered, “pretty considerably.”
“Ah, it might”—if monsieur de Maubert felt the dryness of the young man's tone he did not stoop to any retaliation; he was all kindliness—“but charming women are rarely in need of consolation. Is not the fact you will not face, my idealistic young friend, the fact, simply, that passion, the flame, does burn out? That is a law of life. ”

“ No; it is not. We are a more serious people than you when it comes to art.”
Giles was not to be abashed. “With us it is one honourable alternative among others. It's a career any young girl can follow, except among old-fashioned, prejudiced people. And I mean young girls of good character; of good standing.”
“What you mean, I think,” said monsieur de Maubert, “is that with us it is not seen as a suitable career for a jeune fille du monde. Alix is not a jeune fille du monde.” ”