bud, blossom, and fruit. Since

The sweetest love is that wherein the odorous flower of passion ripens
into the nourishing fruitage of affection. But

Love requires careful nature. And

The more exotic the love, the more difficult its culture.--True, An
orchid may life on air. Yes; but how torrid and vaporous an air!

Your sturdy mistletoe thrives on the humble apple; a Cattleya requires a
Columbian forest.

* * *

Youth wonders at the amatory successes of middle-age. Youth knows not
that

In matters amatory, age is no handicap:

A girl in her 'teens will make love to a gentleman of forty--and vice
versa. In fact

The indiscreet impetuosity of youth succumbs before the astuteness of
age.

The bachelor and the spinster both sometimes wonder that the benedick and
the bride are still their rivals; for they know not that

In the amatorial art, matrimony is no handicap. In short,