Page:Advantages and disadvantages of the marriage-state.pdf/9

9 misery and ruin that was approaching her native country nor yet acquainted with the pleasures and delights of the land which he was seeking after, nor had any desire to the way; but his strong inclination stimulated him to reason upon every thing in the most advantageous light, and to put the best constructions upon every circumstance; as thus, that her complaisance was such, that she would be no hinderance or molestation to him; that, by his example, he might engage her mind to that which she had no inclination to at present; that it was very hard to be prohibited from one who, in all other respects, appeared so desireable; and that, probably, he might never find a companion complete in every point. In short, he persisted in these kinds of reasonings, until he had almost stupified his senses; but still could not free himself from convincing and dreadful apprehensions of the evil of taking so indirect a step, and the inconveniences which would attend it, until, at length, a resolute passion prevailed so far, that his eyes were darkened that he scarce perceived the day from the night! and during this obstruction of his senses, he went one evening, after the sun was gone down, and joined hands with this Babylonian; but when the sun arose in the morning, and he was a little come to himself, he then became sensible of the