etc., having once determined
to reject a suitor, should separate from him utterly then and there--
never give him again the least chance of a hope, or reillume the
extinguished fire in the wretch's bosom.
But coquetry, but kindness, but family affection, and a strong, very
strong partiality for the rejected lover--are these not to be taken in
account, and to plead as excuses for her behaviour to her cousin? The
least unworthy part of her conduct, some critics will say, was that
desire to see Clive and be well with him: as she felt the greatest regard
for him, the showing it was not blameable; and every flutter which she
made to escape out of the meshes which the world had cast about her was
but the natural effort at liberty. It was her prudence which was wrong;
and her submission wherein she was most culpable. In the early church
story, do we not read how young martyrs constantly had to disobey worldly
papas and mammas, who would have had them silent, and not utter their
dangerous opinions? how their parents locked them up, kept them on
bread-and-water, whipped and tortured them in order to enforce
obedience?--nevertheless they would declare the truth: they would defy
the gods by law established, and deliver themselves up to the lions or
the tormentors.
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