- I Hope Therefore, Sir,
Continued She, You Will Not Oblige Me To Act With Too Much Precipitation
In An Affair On Which The Happiness Or Misery Of My Whole Future
Life Depends.
Your very thinking it of consequence, said he, is enough to make you
behave so, as to allure your
Happiness with a man of honour; and indeed
Louisa, I love you too well to propose one to you whose principles and
humour I could not answer for as well as my own.
Yet, sir, replied she, I have read that a union of hearts as well as
hands is necessary for the felicity of that state; - that there ought to
be a simpathy of soul between them, and a perfect confidence in each
other, before the indissoluble knot is tied: - and this, according to my
notion, can only be the result of a long acquaintance and accompanied
with many proofs of affection on both sides.
Were all young women to think as you do, said he with a smile, we would
have much fewer marriages; they would indeed be happier; therefore I am
far from condemning your precaution, nor would wish you should give
yourself to one till well assured he was incapable of treating you with
less regard after marriage than before: - no, no, Louisa, I will never
press you to become a wife, till you shall yourself acknowledge the man
I offer to you as a husband is not unworthy of that title, thro' a want
of honour, fortune, or affection.
As Louisa thought this must be the work of time, the chagrin she felt at
the first mention of marriage was greatly dissipated; and she told him,
that when she was once convinced such a person as he described honoured
her so far as to think she merited his affection, she would do all in
her power to return it.
The enamoured Dorilaus having now brought her to the point he aimed at,
thought it best to throw off the mark at once, and leave her no longer
in suspence. - Behold then in me, said he, the person I have mentioned:
nor think me vain in ascribing those merits to myself which I would wish
to be the loadstone of your affection. - My honour, I believe, you will
not call in question: - my humour you have never found capricious, or
difficult to please; and as for my love, you cannot but allow the
conquering that aversion, which myself, as well as all the world,
believed unalterable for a marriage state; besides a thousand other
scruples opposed my entering into it with you, is a proof greater than
almost any other man could give you. - There requires, therefore, my dear
Louisa, no time to convince you of what I am, or assure you of what I
may be; and I hope the affection you bore me, as a faithful friend, and
the protector of your innocence, will not be diminished on my making
this declaration.
The confusion in which this speech involved her is even impossible to be
conceived, much less can any words come up to its description:
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 12 of 194
Words from 5769 to 6291
of 102800
