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166 whole life had been but one system of virtue, if he could reconcile and recommend to her the practice of secrecy, why should she hesitate? why cause him to mistrust her affections by opposing his wishes?

Thus Oriana sought to banish from her mind those inward and friendly monitors that might have whispered other thoughts and reflections more to her credit—that however wise and virtuous the man, when professing the attachment of a lover, no concessions whatever are to be made to him inconsistent with the purest morality, and that dignity of conduct to be expected from the pious, sensible, and well-instructed woman! Contrary to which, however, with Oriana it seemed as if no other regret intruded than the difficulty of confining her feelings to the compass of her own bosom, accustomed as she had been to lay them open to her sister, whose sympathy seemed so necessary to her, that, availing herself of an interval of free communication with Philimore, she obtained his consent to make Rosilia the confidant of their secret.

Thus unavoidably was Rosilia called upon to bear a part in the deception practised upon her parents. To betray a confidence reposed in her was very foreign to her disposition; but to use every argument affection could dictate, to bring