human
What beautiful evenings you have in Chicago, he began.
gpt
May I take this chair?
human
Yes, I never tire of seeing the moonlight on the water as it is shining to-night. When I was a little girl it was a great treat to me to be allowed to spend a summer evening on this piazza, and I enjoy it scarcely less now.
gpt
You enjoy it very seldom, I observe.
human
Yes, of course there are lots of engagements this summer, and a quiet evening at home like this seems very welcome occasionally. One likes too, sometimes, to renew acquaintance with the moon. After living among rosy, violet, pale green, and white search lights, and all sorts of spectacular electrical effects so much, one comes back to moonlight on the water as to an old friend.
gpt
I miss your sister and Jack, this evening. Where are they?
human
Columbus knows! Since the authorities have been Barnumizing the Fair, as they call it, one is led on to stay, and stay, and stay, to see this race or that dance or the other illumination. I left them after the noon concert.
gpt
You were there, then. Of course you are fond of music.
human
I enjoy it very much, although Clover says I don’t. She and Jack are cranks about it. I am not.
gpt
They have one strong predilection in common, then.
human
The effect of music upon a person who is in sympathy with it is an interesting study. Those involuntary chills that pass over one under the moving influence of good music are rather annoying to me. I do not wish to be moved uncontrollably by anything. I wish to decide just how deeply to feel on any subject. Do you know what I mean?
gpt
Yes, exactly. The decision of the girl’s reply rather surprised her companion. She let him look deep into her luminous eyes set in the moonlight fairness of her face.
human
And further than agreeing with you in the desirability of the principle, she added,
gpt
I carry the theory into practice.
human
Do you mean to say that you are always able to let your head decide what your heart shall feel?
gpt
Invariably.
human
But that is no common characteristic in a woman. With women the heart speaks first usually.
gpt
Not in the case of the well-balanced woman.
human
Then perhaps you can tell me, said Page, much surprised and interested,
gpt
Do you mean, do I think it possible to fall in love head first?
human
Forgive me if I ask too much; but it seems to me very helpful to compare notes with one whose aims and desires are similar to your own.
gpt
Oh, I don’t mind telling you, Mr. Page, said the girl, sobering.
human
My ideas on the subject are clearly formulated, and I know of no reason why I should not impart them to one who will be appreciative. I believe a woman can decide what characteristics would be sympathetic with hers, and when she is sufficiently acquainted with a man to discover if he is possessed of those qualities, she can give rein to her heart, and love him —the speaker suddenly extended her white hands before her—
gpt
But can one always love where the head dictates? he asked;
human
Undoubtedly; for when one finds the combination she seeks, she will discover that she has loved it already. I will tell you, Mr. Page, you tempt my confidence because you captivate my judgment. I will describe to you the man I await. He must be good to look upon, for I value beauty of form; but he must be cool and steady of brain, must love to think, to analyze, to look upon life not as a plaything but as something the laws of which must be studied and explored continually. Incidents which appear trifling to others, to him will suggest a thousand questions. He must in short be a student of human nature whose researches I may, by-and-by, as I grow wiser, assist. Oh, proud, happy destiny!
gpt
A man like that is not found every day, Miss Bryant; but I congratulate you on your high standard; for the being you describe has surely a great heart to throb for humanity as well as the head to study it, and your affections will not be starved, I am sure of that.