al, when spirits are lent me to dispel the darkness
which at present too often over-clouds my mind, will, I hope, make me
superior to all the calamities that can befal me.

Her whole person was informed by her sentiments. She seemed to be taller
than before. How the God within her exalted her, not only above me, but
above herself!

Divine creature! (as I thought her,) I called her. I acknowledged the
superiority of her mind; and was proceeding--but she interrupted me--All
human excellence, said she, is comparative only. My mind, I believe, is
indeed superior to your's, debased as your's is by evil habits: but I had
not known it to be so, if you had not taken pains to convince me of the
inferiority of your's.

How great, how sublimely great, this creature!--By my soul I cannot
forgive her for her virtues! There is no bearing the consciousness of
the infinite inferiority she charged me with.--But why will she break
from me, when good resolutions are taking place? The red-hot iron she
refuses to strike--O why will she suffer the yielding wax to harden?

We had gone but a few paces towards the house, when we were met by the
impertinent women, with notice, that breakfast was ready. I could only,
with uplifted hands, beseech her to give me hope of a renewed
conversation after breakfast.

No--she would go to church.

And into the house she went, and up stairs directly. Nor would she
oblige me with her company at the tea-table.

I offered, by Mrs. Moore, to quit both the table and the parlour, rather
than she should exclude herself, or deprive the two widows of the favour
of her company.

That was not all the matter, she told Mrs. Moore. She had been
struggling to keep down her temper. It had cost her some pains to do it.
She was desirous to compose herself, in hopes to receive benefit by the
divine worship she was going to join in.

Mrs. Moore hoped for her presence at dinner.

She had rather be excused. Yet, if she could obtain the frame of mind
she hoped for, she might not be averse to show, that she had got above
those sensibilities, which gave consideration to a man who deserved not
to be to her what he had been.

This said, no doubt, to let Mrs. Moore know, that the garden-conversation
had not been a reconciling one.

Mrs. Moore seemed to wonder that we were not upon a better foot of
understanding, after so long a conference; and the more, as she believed
that the lady had given in to the proposa