Page:Thecompleteascet01grimuoft.djvu/295

 It would  be  still  more  criminal  and  disgraceful  to  permit any  secular  to  indulge  in  indecent  jests;  I  do  not speak of  improper  familiarities,  not  wishing  to  suppose such an  excess. Should any  worldling  carry  his  sacrilegious insolence  so  far  as  to  utter  such  jests  in  your presence, imagine  not  that  because  you  only  listen  you are blameless. By not  retiring  at  once  you  co-operate with him  and  render  yourself  a  partaker  of  his  guilt. Besides, should  you  not  instantly  withdraw  from  such infernal conversation  you  will  soon  become  more  criminal than  its  author;  and  from  the  dignity  of  the  spouse of Jesus  you  will  fall  to  the  degraded  condition  of  the slave of  Satan. Besides, you  might  easily  be  the  cause of ruin  to  your  convent;  for  such  a  religious  that  keeps up so  unhallowed  a  relationship  is  sufficient  by  her  bad example to  seduce  others  into  doing  the  same  thing.

Be specially  on  your  guard  if  your  brother  or  another of your  relatives  in  visiting  you  brings  with  him  one  of his  friends  who  has  taken  a  fancy  to  you;  they  may  perhaps call  in  your  aunt  to  be  present,  but  you  will  after all be  the  principal  person  in  the  scene. Should you ever perceive  that  such  a  snare  has  been  laid,  cast  down your eyes  at  once,  keep  silence,  and  show  yourself very grave;  but  the  best  thing  for  you  to  do  would  be to  go  away  immediately. If later  on  you  are  again called to  the  parlor,  knowing  that  the  same  person  is there,  send  word  that  you  are  busy  and  that  you  cannot go. Be careful  not  to  act  otherwise,  for  if  you  again  allow that  person  to  have  an  interview  with  you,  I  shall look upon  you  as  lost.

Likewise, if  you  receive  from  any  one  a  letter  in  which you notice  tender  and  affectionate  words,  tear  up  the letter at  once,  throw  it  into  the  fire,  and  do  not  answer it. If, however,  on  account  of  some  matter  of  importance, an  answer  should  be  necessary,  answer  it  briefly and seriously,  without  showing  that  you  have  taken  the