Page:Affecting history of an inn-keeper in Normandy.pdf/19

(19) of rhetorical abilities, can very eaſily  a raw unexperienced girl, intirely  with the world, ſuch as you , to believe any thing."—"But, my dear (replied ſhe, ready to ſink on the chair), it is really abſolutely impoſſible that  can enjoy the ſmalleſt happineſs in being united to any other perſon, even allowing  ſhould be, as you ſay, no weight in promiſes; as no ſuch thing, you are very, can actually exiſt, except the  be reciprocal; and although Philander's fortune be but ſmall, yet, when added to mine, they will, together, make one ſo very conſiderable, as will very well enable us to live comfortably, as neither of us, I believe, has any ambition to live ſplendidly. I cannot, indeed, ſpeak from experience: but ſurely "the great ſecret of being happy in the married ſtate conſiſts not ſo much in being affluent as in loving each other well; in that caſe all things muſt conform themfelves to our deſires. This muſt produce a ſweetneſs which will abſorb all the vexations of life.  In ſuch a ſituation the heart of the one is in that of the other; they think and act even in concert, and are often on the point of ſaying the ſame thing.  No exiſtence is truly ſo precious as that of two married perſons who love each other; and I ſhould rather chuſe to loſe my life this day than—" "Where, in the name of wonder (ſays he,