may there not be certain cases involving effects of an import to render it excusable, if not justifiable? To what purpose would have been the avowal of my past attachment, existing so long in secret, since, as is most probable, its promised end, that of marriage, will never be realized? Why, therefore, have aggravated or afflicted the General's mind by a confession of the truth? Would it have changed the present, or prevented the results arising in the future? would it have lightened my misery? Besides, could I have been justified in setting at variance our respective families, so long united in the bonds of peace and friendship? The General has left me satisfied, contented, happy! I alone am the sufferer, I alone have erred—and now pay the forfeit of my error."
Though by this reasoning Philimore acquitted himself of any wilful intention of wrong, it was not so easy for him to dismiss those painful intrusions which often stole upon him and embittered his peace. "Can it be possible," thought he, "that she who has allowed herself to be carried so far by me, can admit of the attentions of another?" As this afflicting idea gathered strength by recurrence, he began to think Oriana was not so innately virtuous as he had once thought her; that easiness of access which, in the beginning of his flame, he had supposed to originate in candour, he then imagined owed its birth to laxity or lightness of principle. Why encourage the attentions of Valpée? Was it not evident she did so—had not her father given him confirmation of it? What
