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144 in direct opposition to their deceptive impulse. Borne away by an enthusiasm for virtue, strength of mind, and steady principles, how greatly must they have been exerted: or how else could firmness, perseverance, and self-denial have formed those bulwarks that had surrounded and fortified her. To eradicate that error, already but too deeply imbibed, to subdue and triumph over human infirmity, was indeed difficult, but to Rosilia a derogation from virtue was still more so.

How different were the feelings which swayed her in the case of Melliphant. Never had he for one moment excited in her sentiments of higher interest, of softer tendency, of nearer association, than the mere tacit consent of her reason to his claims upon her esteem; an approbation of his merits, so modestly, yet conspicuously displayed, so extolled by those around, was all she could bestow. The distress of mind, the secret sorrow, he seemed labouring under, made visible by a pensiveness of manner, sudden emotion, and half suppressed sighs, awakened in Rosilia but a tender commiseration. And even long before she suspected that she was herself the author of those sufferings, she wished, ardently wished, that she had it in her power to restore peace, happiness, and content to so apparently deserving a character; it is not surprising then that, contrary to her better prudence and judgment, her warm and generous nature should have hurried her on, with unsuspecting steps, even to the brink of that