Imogen cast around her a languid and passive regard, and was in a moment
roused from her supineness by the sight of Roderic. Her subtle adversary
did not however allow her time for complete recollection, before he
discovered an apparent revolution in his sentiments and language. He had
heard, he said, the supernatural and celestial chorus, and been caught
in the extremest degree by the praises of innocence and the triumph of
virtue. He now felt the vanity and folly of those pursuits in which he
had been so deeply immersed, and was determined to abjure the littleness
of pride, and the emptiness of sensual gratification. He did not now
address his destined prize with the commendations of beauty. He bestowed
upon her with profusion the epithets of discretion, integrity, and
heroism; and poured into her ear the insidious flattery, that was most
soothing to her temper. Full, as he pretended, of the infant purposes of
virtue, he besought his captive in the most importunate manner, to
remain with him for a time, to confirm his wavering rectitude, to
instruct him in duty, and thus to gain one human being to the standard
of integrity, and to render so extensive possessions subservient to the
happiness of mankind. All this he expressed with that ardour, which is
congenial to the simplicity of truth; and with that enthusiasm, which in
all instances accompanies recent conviction.
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