There had been a something of rapture in that earlier dream which could never be repeated,--which could never live, indeed, except in a dream.

Now, now that she was older and perhaps wiser, love meant a partnership, in which each partner would be honest to the other, in which each would wish and strive for the other's welfare, so that thus their joint welfare might be insured.

Then, in those early girlish days, it had meant a total abnegation of self.

The one was of earth, and therefore possible.

The other had been a ray from heaven,--and impossible, except in a dream.
And she had been mistaken in her first love.