After a general laugh at her
expense, Cousin Irene said:
"The first mirrors, you must remember, were the forest pools and
mountain tarns. As the hunter stooped to one of these to slake his
thirst, if perchance so much as a shadow should break the reflection of
his own image in its tranquil depths, he had reason to fear that danger
and perhaps death were at hand; for often in some such dark mirror a
victim caught the first glimpse of his enemy, who had been waiting in
ambush and was now stealing upon him from behind; or of the wild beast
making ready to leap upon him. But the popular augury that the mere
fact of breaking a looking-glass portends death, is, you must see,
senseless and absurd. And so, as I think you have become convinced,
are all superstitions. It is true we sometimes remark coincidences,
and are inclined to make much of them; without noting, on the contrary,
how many times the same supposed omens and signs come to nought. When
God wills to send us some special happiness or trial, be assured He
makes use of no such means to prepare us for it; since He directs our
lives not by chance, but by His all-wise and loving Providence.
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