Oriana back to a sense of her duty, and the path she had swerved from, she conceived to be incumbent upon her. But still, following the dictates, the guidance, and councils of her lover, Oriana maintained that her principles were correct and her intentions pure; her attachment for Philimore was solely founded on his virtues, and sooner than relinquish him she would relinquish existence!
"You will not lose him, my dear Oriana," replied Rosilia; "it will not lessen you in his esteem and approbation, by telling him candidly that you feel much pain from the reserve and dissimulation he has bound you to practise; on the contrary, if Philimore is so correct and virtuous as we think him, your thus acting will tend to strengthen rather than diminish his affection. He cannot but admire the principles of duty which influence you; and finding you thus totally averse from any further secrecy, it will doubtless prompt him instantly to come forward and make an open declaration of his sentiments to our parents."
Admitting the probability of her sister's remarks, and particularly as with respect to her prevailing desire, that of still strengthening and rendering more secure the attachment of Philimore, after some further persuasion on the part of Rosilia, Oriana decided to conform to her opinion. As a
