tely after for
his country seat, where Charlotte, being utterly a stranger, would not
be subjected to any of those little railleries, she must have
expected, in a place where every one knew of the aversion she had
testified for a second marriage.

No cross accident intervening, what they designed was, in a short
time, carried into execution;--never were any pair united by more
indelible bonds; those of friendship sublimed into the most pure and
virtuous tenderness, and a parity of principles, humours, and
inclinations.

Thus does passion triumph over the most seemingly fixed and determined
resolution; and though it must be confessed, that in this instance,
both had reason, from the real merits of the beloved object, to
justify their choice, yet nature would certainly have had the same
force, and worked the same effect, if excited only by meer fancy, and
imaginary perfections.

A Platonic and spiritual love, therefore, between persons of different
sexes, can never continue for any length of time. Whatever ideas the
_mind_ may conceive, they will at last conform to the craving of the
_senses_; and the _soul_, though never so elevated, find itself
incapable of enjoying a perfect satisfaction, without the
participation of the _body_.--As inclination then is not always guided
by a right judgment, nor circumstances always concur to render the
indulging an amorous propensity either convenient, or lawful, how
careful ought every one be, not to be deceived by a romantic
imagination, so far as to engage in an affection which, sooner or
later, will bring them to the same point that Natura and Charlotte
experienced.

CHAP. VI.

How the most powerful emotions of the _mind_ subside and grow weaker
in proportion, as the strength of the _body_ decays, is here
exemplified; and that such passions as remain after a certain age,
are not properly the incentives of nature, but of example, long
habitude or ill humour.

The bride and bridegroom were received by all the friends, tenants,
and dependants of Natura, with the greatest demonstrations of joy; and
the behaviour of the amiable Charlotte was such as made every one
cease to wonder that he had ventured again on marriage, after the
disquiets he had experienced in that state.

The kindred on neither side had nothing to condemn in the choice which
each had made of the other; and though perhaps a motive of
self-interest might make those nearest in blood, and conse