experience. I know how apt I am to go astray, how often my own heart
deceives me; and hence I always am in search of better knowledge; hence I
listen to admonition, not only with docility, but gratitude. My
inclination ought, perhaps, to be absolutely neuter; but, if I know
myself, it is with reluctance that I withhold my assent from the
expostulator. I am delighted to receive conviction from the arguments of
those that love me.

In this case, I am prepared to hear and weigh, and be convinced by, any
thing you think proper to urge.

I ask not pardon for my faults, nor compassion on my frailty. That I
love Colden I will not deny, but I love his worth; his merits, real or
imaginary, enrapture my soul. Ideal his virtues may be, but to me they are
real, and the moment they cease to be so, that the illusion disappears, I
cease to love him, or, at least, I will do all that is in my power to do.
I will forbear all intercourse or correspondence with him,--for his as
well as my own sake.

Tell me then, my mother, what you know of him. What heinous offence has
he committed, that makes him unworthy of my regard?

You have raised, without knowing it perhaps, or designing to effect it
in this way, a bar to this detested alliance. While you declare that
Colden has been guilty of base actions, it is impossible to grant him my
esteem as fully as a husband should claim. Till I know what the actions
are which you impute to him, I never will bind myself to him by
indissoluble bands.

I have told him this, and he joins with me to entreat you to