Some such souls are born, do you not think ?" "Yes, Sphinx souls, extraordinary, impossible for the average of us to understand." "That torch of _life_!" she mused.

"See! It was only _that_ which you were so eager to pass on to another generation! That was why you were so mad to hasten to the side of that woman.

Whereas," she mused still, "it were so much grander and so much nobler to pass on the torch of a _principle_ as well!" "I do not understand." "The general business of offspring goes on unceasingly in all the nations," she resumed frankly.

"There will be children, whether or not you and I ever find some one wherewith to mate in the compromise which folk call wedlock.

But _principles_--ah! my friend, who is to give those to others who follow us?
What rare and splendid wedlock brings forth _that_ manner of offspring ?" "Madam, in the circumstances," said I, "I should be happy to serve you more omelet." She shook her head as though endeavoring to dismiss something from her mind.
"Do not philosophize with me," I said.