Be frank with him, tell him of your secret hopes.
He will smile tenderly, and show you how those also are an emanation from a craving heart, and the innate superstitions of mankind.

Indeed he will laugh and illustrate the absurdity of the whole thing by a few pungent examples of what would happen if these earthly affections could be carried beyond the grave.

Take what you can _now_ will be the burden of his song, and for goodness' sake do not waste your precious hours in dreams of a To Be.
Beatrice, the world does not want your spirituality.

It is not a spiritual world; it has no clear ideas upon the subject--it pays its religious premium and works off its aspirations at its weekly church going, and would think the person a fool who attempted to carry theories of celestial union into an earthly rule of life.

It can sympathise with Lady Honoria; it can hardly sympathise with _you_.
And yet you will still choose this better part: you will still "live and love, and lose." "With blinding tears and passionate beseeching, And outstretched arms through empty silence reaching." Then, Beatrice, have your will, sow your seed of tears, and take your chance.