"Hilda will never marry.

Never, that is to say, till she has attained some mysterious object she seems to have in view, about which she never speaks to anyone--not even to me.

But I have somehow guessed it!" "And it is ?" "Oh, I have not guessed what it IS: I am no Oedipus.

I have merely guessed that it exists.

But whatever it may be, Hilda's life is bounded by it.