Cedric calls the Crow's Nest a wretched little hole." "Oh, he is so young, Miss Templeton--he is at the age when one has great expectations; we learn to moderate and alter our ideas as we grow older.

Don't you remember Carmen Sylva's charming description of youth and age?
I like it so much." Elizabeth shook her head.

"I am afraid I do not read enough," she said rather sadly.

But he looked at her very kindly.
"She is one of the wisest and wittiest of women," he returned; "and she is your namesake too." "Oh yes, I know that." "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.