Page:Dramas 2.pdf/157

Rh

O tell me first—tell me faithfully and truly, what is your opinion of my husband's situation. He has been very imprudent, but it cannot be that he is guilty.

Imprudence leads men into great temptation. You know whether or not the character of your husband made him more likely than other men to resist it.

Alas! I know well the weakness of his mind, and I know his necessities were great: but great as they might be, they could never move him to commit such a crime.

So do all good wives conceive of their husbands' integrity; particularly those who have enjoyed the felicity of a romantic attachment. How happy should I be to feel equally confident on this point.

Then you are not? O, no, no! you cannot believe him guilty, how strongly soever appearances may be against him.

I wish it were possible for me to hold your faith upon this subject. Madam, or even to avoid