Page:Duty and Inclination. Volume 3.pdf/149

Rh since they were well persuaded Melliphant would not receive dismission at their hands.

The General conceived the most effectual method to put a stop to his further persecutions, would, be for Rosilia herself, in compliance with his entreaty, to pen him a reply such as, by its diction, would be calculated to extinguish in him all further hopes.

In communicating with him upon the subject, she accordingly wrote in a style which met the full concurrence of both her father and mother. Her task thus completed, she was now left to her private meditations: admitting the statement of Melliphant to be exaggerated, she had, nevertheless, been the cause, though no reproach could be attached to herself, of plunging him into sorrow. Ah! thought she, who would ever sigh for conquests? where can be the supreme felicity of reducing a fellow-being to distress, and afterwards, from vain-glorious feelings, to exult and triumph in the pain occasioned? May he speedily forget me, and regain his peace! was the ardent prayer she breathed.

Her letter had been couched in language more harsh and decided than the nature of her own compassionate and gentle feelings would have allowed, yet she felt convinced of the necessity of the measure. He will load me with reproaches, thought she; but no matter: if it enables him to forget me, the end is answered.

So deep was that veil thrown over Melliphant by his habitual vices, that had Rosilia possessed the