his principles and views." "Does he now practise
the arts you mention? or do you refer to past follies?" "I cannot answer
for his present conduct; his past has established his character." "You,
madam, are an advocate for charity; that, perhaps, if exercised in this
instance, might lead you to think it possible for him to reform, to
become a valuable member of society, and, when connected with a lady of
virtue and refinement, to be capable of making a good husband." "I
cannot conceive that such a lady would be willing to risk her all upon
the slender prospect of his reformation. I hope the one with whom I am
conversing has no inclination to so hazardous an experiment." "Why, not
much." "Not much! If you have any, why do you continue to encourage Mr.
Boyer's addresses?" "I am not sufficiently acquainted with either, yet,
to determine which to take. At present, I shall not confine myself in
any way. In regard to these men, my fancy and my judgment are in scales;
sometimes one preponderates, sometimes the other; which will finally
prevail, time alone can reveal." "O my cousin, beware of the delusions
of fancy! Reason must be our guide if we would expect durable
happiness." At this instant a servant opened the door, and told me that
Major Sanford waited in the parlor. Being ready, I wished Mrs. Richman a
good evening, and went down. Neither General Richman nor his lady
appeared. He therefore handed me immediately into his phaeton, and we
were soon in the assembly room.

I was surprised, on my entrance, to find Mr. Selby there, as he did not
mention, at dinner, his intention of going. He attached himself to our
party, and, in the intervals of dancing, took every opportunity of
conversing with me. These, however, were not many; for Major Sanford
assiduously precluded the possibility of my being much engaged by any
one else. We passed the evening very agreeably; but the major's
importunity was rather troublesome as we returned home. He insisted upon
my declaring whether Mr. Boyer really possessed my affections, and
whether I intended to confer myself on him or not. "If," said he, "you
answer me in the affirmative, I must despair; but if you have not
absolutely decided against me, I will still hope that my persevering
assiduity, my faithful love, may at last be rewarded." I told him that I
was under no obligation to give him any account of my disposition
towards another, and that he must remember the terms of our present
associa