She did everything that
was required; and she would have done the same had there been no
such requisition: but all this morality was subordinate to the
principles of M. Tavel, or rather she pretended to see nothing in
religion that contradicted them; thus she would have favored twenty
lovers in a day, without any idea of a crime, her conscience being
no more moved in that particular than her passions. I know that a
number of devotees are not more scrupulous, but the difference is,
they are seduced by constitution, she was blinded by her sophisms.
In the midst of conversations the most affecting, I might say the most
edifying, she would touch on this subject without any change of air or
manner, and without being sensible of any contradiction in her
opinions; so much was she persuaded that our restrictions on that head
are merely political, and that any person of sense might interpret,
apply, or make exceptions to them, without any danger of offending the
Almighty.
Though I was far enough from being of the same opinion in this
particular, I confess I dared not combat hers; indeed, as I was
situated, it would have been putting myself in rather awkward
circumstances, since I could only have sought to establish my
opinion for others, myself being an exception. Besides, I
entertained but little hopes of making her alter hers, which never had
any great influence on her conduct, and at the time I am speaking of
none; but I have promised faithfully to describe her principles, and I
will perform my engagement- I now return to myself.
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