Light-heartedness

There is, besides, something in the appearance and bearing of a midwife upon those occasions which diffuses a spirit of buoyancy and light-heartedness not only through the immediate family, but also through all who may happen to participate in the ceremony, or partake of the good cheer.

As in Goethe's description of the lighthearted kind of resignation in Poetry and Truth, the end result of light-heartedness is the "blasphemous" implied conclusion that "all is vanity."

Why were they travelling unaccompanied? 'We are accompanying each other,' said Asa, 'being mistress and maid.' For this attempt at light-heartedness she received a cold-eyed stare.