It is the
sentiment of a people, who, "aristocratic" as they may be, do really
feel that that which is best and purest in the highest lady of the
land may be, and should be, also the heritage of lowliest. But such
is not practically the feeling in those social latitudes where
Paolina was born and bred.
The breath that tarnishes the clear mirror of a noble damsel's name,
says and teaches that social feeling, brings dishonour to a noble
race; and she has failed in her duty to her race. But who could be
injured by any light word spoken or light thought of such an one as
poor Paolina? She was an "artist." What treason to art, what lese-
majeste against the beautiful in every one of its manifestations, to
conceive that in that fact any reason was to be found why a less
nice conduct in such matters should be expected of her! And yet, for
reasons which it would take a volume to elucidate, so it is, that in
the countries where art is deemed to be most at home, and where it
is in the largest degree the occupation of large sections of the
people, it is deemed that a less strict rule with reference to the
matters under consideration is laid on them than on others. What if
a young female artist "perfectly free from ties," as would be urged,
and whose conduct in such a matter could hurt nobody,--what if such
an one chose to form a tie not recognized by the Church? The Church
herself would look very leniently on the venial fault.
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