Page:Honest debtor, or, The virtuous man struggling with, rising superior to, and overcoming misfortune (2).pdf/6

6 luct, I am better informed on that subject then you imagine, and you may with all confidence lay open your heart to me.' ' I began then,' said he, smiling, by con- fession, that my misfortunes are entirely ow- ing to myself, and that my errors are with- out excuse. My profession was one of those that required the strictest probity; and the first law of that probity is, to dispose of no- thing that is not our own. I made calcu- lations; but those calculations were errone- ous. My imprudence was not the loss cri- minal. But I will tell you how I was invol- ved in it. ' A reputable family, of unsullied reput- ation, the esteem of the public, transmitted from my ancestors to their children; my youth; some success in which I had been much favoured by circumstances; all seem- ed to promise that I should make a rapid fortune by my profession. This was the very rock on which I split. ' Monf. d'Amene, a man of fortune, and who considered my prospects as infallible, ventured to build his daughter's happiness upon these delusive hopes, He offered me her hand; and as soon as we were acquain- ted, we formed a mutual attachment, -She is no more! Were she still living and I were too chose a wife, she alone should be the object of my choice. Yes my dear- est Adrienne, I would choose thee from a- mong a thousand. Others might have more