t I was really
religious. I liked to hear the Bible read by Susannah, and I liked to
talk with her upon religious subjects; but had Susannah been an ugly old
woman, I very much doubt if I should have been so attentive. It was her
extreme beauty--her modesty and fervour, which so became her, which
enchanted me. I felt the beauty of religion, but it was through an
earthly object; it was beautiful in her. She looked an angel, and I
listened to her precepts as delivered by one. Still, whatever may be
the cause by which a person's attention can be directed to so important
a subject, so generally neglected, whether by fear of death, or by love
towards an earthly object, the advantages are the same; and although
very far from what I ought to have been, I certainly was, through my
admiration of her, a better man. As soon as I was on the sofa wrapped
up in one of the dressing-gowns of Mr Cophagus, he told me that the
clothes in which I had been picked up were all in tatters, and asked me
whether I would like to have others made according to the usual fashion,
or like those with whom I should, he trusted, in future reside. I had
already debated this matter in my mind. Return to the world I had
resolved not to do; to follow up the object of my search appeared to me
only to involve me in difficulties; and what were the intentions of
Cophagus with regard to me, I knew not. I was hesitating, for I knew
not what answer to give, when I perceived the pensive, deep-blue eye of
Susannah fixed upon me, watching attentively, if not eagerly, for my
response.

It decided the point. "If," replied I, "you do not think that I should
disgrace you, I should wish to wear the dress of the Society of Friends,
although not yet one of your body."

"But soon to be, I trust," replied Mrs Cophagus.

"Alas!" replied I, "I am an outcast;" and I looked at Susannah Temple.

"Not so, Japhet Newland," replied she, mildly: "I am pleased that thou
hast of thy own accord rejected vain attire. I trust that thou wilt not
find that thou art without friends."

"While I am with you," replied I, addressing myself to them all, "I
consider it my duty to conform to your manners in every way, but
by-and-by, when I resume my search--"

"And why shouldst thou resume a search which must prove unavailing, and
but leads thee into error and misfortune? I am but young, Japhet
Newland, and not perhaps so able to advise, yet doth it appear to me,
that the search c