Page:Honest debtor, or, The virtuous man struggling with, rising superior to, and overcoming misfortune (2).pdf/20

20 ' When I came to these words in which Oli- ver had addressed me: “Ah! sir, how sweet and consolatory is the idea that the esteem of my fellow citizens will be restored to grace my old age, and crown my grey hairs.'--I saw Nervin lift up his head, his eyes all suf- fused with tears : “ No, virtuous man, he exclaimed, in the effusion of his generosity, 'you shall not wait the tedious decline of life, in order to be free and honoured as you deserve. "Sir," added he to me, "you are in the right, there is not a nobler man in the world. As to the common and strait- forward duties of life, any one may fulfil them: but to preserve this resolution and probity, while hanging over the precipices of misfortune and shame, without once los- ing sight of them for a moment! this is rare indeed! this is what I call possessing a well- tempered mind. He will commit no more follies. I will be answerable for it. He will be kind, but he will be prudent; He knows too well what weakness and impru- dence have cost him, & with d'Amene's good leave, that is the man I shall like for a son in-law.-And you daughter, what think you of it', --I, sir!" answered Justina, " I confess that such would be the husband I should choose.” " You shall have him," said her father : " write to him to come to Paris; tell him that a good match awaits him here, and tell him nothing more.”