Page:Duty and Inclination. Volume 3.pdf/127

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DUTY AND INCLINATION.
125

to recommend her works which had appeared to have offended her. "The Sorrows of Werter," because it so fully described a passion of which he was himself the victim. "The Man of Feeling," because in the character of the hero he perceived traits resembling his own, and because the passion by which he was affected, equally affected him, and might in like manner terminate his existence. "La Nouvelle Héloise," because it painted those domestic scenes of which he had sometimes dared to think.

So terminated his epistle, which as Rosilia closed, a profound sigh escaped her. Her bosom panted for the enjoyment of conjugal happiness, with all its tender and endearing ties. She had affections to bestow, but none possessed them, and which had often caused her to feel sensible of a dearth, a vacuity, a species of isolation. Her heart was as it should be, in the order intended by her Creator, its affections, though not meeting with gratification,—an effect arising from the derangements and perversions in human life, a depraved state of society,—yet as such affections were given to form henceforth her paradise, of holy and sacred origin, springing direct from Deity! no shame, no dishonour could be attached to them—consistent were they with the nicest ideas that can be formed of female delicacy, innocence, and chastity!

Rosilia re-perused the letter of Melliphant; again folded it, and consigned it to the table; whilst her heart deeply and inwardly, but with regret, acknow-