engaging yourself to him--in word or mind--than
with anything else. When I consider how few young
men you have yet seen much of; how capable you are
(yes, I do still think you _very_ capable) of
being really in love; and how full of temptation
the next six or seven years of your life will
probably be (it is the very period of life for the
_strongest_ attachments to be formed)--I cannot
wish you, with your present very cool feelings, to
devote yourself in honour to him. It is very true
that you never may attach another man his equal
altogether; but if that other man has the power of
attaching you _more_, he will be in your eyes the
most perfect.

I shall be glad if you _can_ revive past feelings,
and from your unbiassed self resolve to go on as
you have done, but this I do not expect; and
without it I cannot wish you to be fettered. I
should not be afraid of your _marrying_ him; with
all his worth you would soon love him enough for
the happiness of both; but I should dread the
continuance of this sort of tacit engagement, with
such an uncertainty as there is of _when_ it may
be completed. Years may pass before he is
independent; you like him well enough to marry,
but not well enough to wait; the unpleasantness of
appearing fickle is certainly great; but if you
think you want punishment for past illusions,
there it is, and nothing can be compared to the
misery of being bound _without_ love--bound to
one, and preferring another; _that_ is a
punishment which you do _not_ deserve.

* * * * *

I shall be most glad to hear from you again, my
dearest Fanny, but it must not be later than
Saturday, as we shall be off on Monday long before
the letters are delivered; and write _something_
that may do to be read or told.

* * * * *

I cannot suppose we differ in our ideas of the
Christian religion. You have given an excellent
description of it. We only affix a different
meaning to the word _evangelical_.

Yours most affectionately,