295
"Young women seldom argue in this way now-a-days," returned Mrs Mason. "Love is, in the creed of sentiment, and of plays, and novels, a sufficient excuse for the breach of every duty, both before marriage and after it."
"I believe I am as capable of a strong attachment as my sister is," said Mary; "but I could not love a man without first esteeming him, and I could not esteem the man, who, in pursuance of his own selfish purposes, led me into the guilt of ingratitude, falsehood, and dissimulation."
"But you know, my dear, that in every clandestine correspondence, art and dissimulation are absolutely indispensible," said Mrs Mason.
"And therefore," cried Mary, "I abhor every thing clandestine. But perhaps I think worse of Mr Mollins than he deserves. You shall read my sister's letters, and judge for yourself."
"I shall read them afterwards," said Mrs Mason; "but wish you in the mean
