"When we bring back with us the objects most dear, and find those we left unchanged, we are tempted to doubt the lapse of time; but one link in the chain of affection broken, and every thing seems altered"

Marguerite Gardiner's quote poignantly explores the interplay between memory, time, and human emotion, revealing how our perception of modification is deeply affected by our individual connections and the constancy of our surroundings. In the beginning glance, the quote talks to the soothing illusion of timelessness we experience when we return to a familiar place or the company of liked ones. The "items most dear" and those we "left the same" represent stability, anchoring us in a truth that feels consistent and reassuring.

This unaltered state cultivates an illusion where time's passage seems minimal. We are inclined to question the lapse of time, since the constancy of these elements amidst our presence recommends permanence, a constant foundation within a world that is otherwise perpetually in flux. Our environments and treasured valuables play an important role in keeping our sense of identity and sustaining love towards those we love.

However, Gardiner juxtaposes this with the inevitable disturbance that includes change: "one link in the chain of love broken, and whatever seems modified". Here, she captures the fragility of human connections. When a relationship is strained or lost, it shatters the reassuring impression, requiring us to confront the passage of time and the developing nature of life. This damaged link is akin to a breach in an once unyielding structure, exposing that what we assumed to be consistent is, in truth, susceptible to change. The psychological effect of this interruption amplifies alterations in our perception of whatever around us, highlighting how interconnected our relationships are with our experience of time and change.

In essence, Gardiner's quote brightens the double nature of time and memory. On one hand, continuity in our environment and relationships can briefly protect us from the awareness of time's passage. On the other, any interruption in these worlds can considerably move our perception, casting whatever in a new light and reminding us of life's intrinsic transience. This reflection invites us to cherish our connections and remain mindful of time's subtle, yet unrelenting, progression.