While the wife gives the least room
to suspect, that she despises her husband, she will find that she
subjects him to double contempt, if he resents it not; and if he does,
can you be happy? Aggressors lay themselves open to severe reprisals.
If you differ, you will be apt to make by-standers judges over you. They
will remember, when you are willing to forget; and your fame will be the
sport of those beneath you, as well in understanding as degree.
She believed, she told me, that Lord G---- had been making some
complaints of her. If he had--
Hush, my dear, said I--Not one word of threatening: are you more
solicitous to conceal your fault, than to amend it?
No--But you know, Harriet, for a man, before he has experienced what sort
of a wife I shall make, to complain against me for foibles in courtship,
when he can help himself if he will, has something so very little--
Your conscience, Charlotte, tells you, that he had reason for complaint;
and therefore you think he has complained. Think the best of Lord G----
for your own reputation's sake, since you thought fit to go thus far with
him. You have borne nothing from him: he has borne a great deal from
you.
I am fretful, Harriet; I won't be chidden: I will be comforted by you:
you shall sooth me: are you not my sister? She threw her arms round me,
and kissed my cheek.
I ventured to rally her, though I was afraid of her retort, and met with
it: but I thought it would divert her.
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