never be persuaded into the belief of such absurdity.’ Alas! my father did not reflect, that when we poor mortals speak of our own future conduct and feelings the word never is one which may not be used rashly!
“About a year and a half afterwards, there took place another adventure, which was well calculated to overturn all his usual opinions. One Sunday, Seraphina and I were both reminded of a visit, for which we had been engaged long before; but, though she always regretted our separation, even for a short interval, yet she would give up my society, when, as on the present occasion, it must be retained at the expence of going to a crowded party. Even the preliminary task of dressing for such an assembly, was to her an insupportable torment, for she recollected all the while, that this trouble was for no other purpose but to bring her amidst a circle of people, whose shallow intellects, and affected politeness, were in the utmost degree repulsive and disgusting. Besides, she never failed, at these large parties, to meet with individuals, whose physiognomies were such, that she could not speak to them without shud-
