"
"When I go back to town may I send you her little book--"Thoughts of
a Queen" it is called?"
Elizabeth, after a moment's hesitation, thanked him and said she
would be glad to see it.
"It is well worth your perusal," he went on, too much engrossed by
his subject to notice her hesitating manner. "But I have not given
you her definition of youth."
"'In youth,' she remarks, 'one is a mediaeval castle, with hidden
nooks, secret chambers, mysterious galleries, trenches, and
ramparts; one becomes afterwards a modern mansion, rich, morocco-
leathered, elegant, stylish, and only open to the select; and
ultimately a great hall open to the whole world, a market, a museum,
or a cathedral.'"
"I think I know what she means," returned Elizabeth thoughtfully.
"Youth is so fond of mysteries, and all its castles have endless
winding galleries, that lead to all sorts of curious nooks and
corners. When we grow older our horizon widens--we care more for
utility and less for subterranean passages. What could be better
than a market, where one sells one's best and most durable goods pro
bono publico!"
Malcolm was delighted with this answer.
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