never be able to deserve all your goodness. I have no hopes, but that
my future conduct may be agreeable to you, and my determined duty well
accepted. Nor have I any request to make, but that you will forgive all
my imperfections and, among the rest, this foolish weakness, that makes
me seem to you, after all the generous things that have passed, to want
this further condescension, and these kind assurances. But indeed, sir,
I am oppressed by your bounty; my spirits sink under the weight of it;
and the oppression is still the greater, as I see not how, possibly,
in my whole future life, by all I can do, to merit the least of your
favours.

I know your grateful heart, said he; but remember, my dear, what the
lawyers tell us, That marriage is the highest consideration which the
law knows. And this, my sweet bride, has made you mine, and me yours;
and you have the best claim in the world to share my fortune with me.
But, set that consideration aside, what is the obligation you have to
me? Your mind is pure as that of an angel, and as much transcends mine.
Your wit, and your judgment, to make you no compliment, are more than
equal to mine: You have all the graces that education can give a woman,
improved by a genius which makes those graces natural to you. You have
a sweetness of temper, and a noble sincerity, beyond all comparison; and
in the beauty of your person, you excel all the ladies I ever saw. Where
then, my dearest, is the obligation, if not on my side to you?--But, to
avoid these comparisons, let us talk of nothing henceforth but equality;
although, if the riches of your mind, and your unblemished virtue, be
set against my fortune, (which is but an accidental good, as I may call
it, and all I have to boast of,) the condescension will be yours; and
I shall not think I can possibly deserve you, till, after your sweet
example, my future life shall become nearly as blameless as yours.

O, sir, said I, what comfort do you give me, that, instead of my being
in danger of being ensnared by the high condition to which your goodness
has exalted me, you make me hope, that I shall be confirmed and approved
by you; and that we may have a prospect of perpetuating each other's
happiness, till time shall be no more!--But, sir, I will not, as you
once cautioned me, be too serious. I will resolve, with these sweet
encouragements, to be, in every thing, what you would have me be: And I
hope I shall, more and more, shew you that I h