It has however
served to weaken her prepossessions, and relax the chains of her
attachment. She is now the better prepared to receive openly and
impartially the addresses of a stranger swain. Thus even your
miscarriages have furthered your design. Thus may a wise general convert
his defeats into the means of victory. Think not however again to
approach her in the coolness of reason, and the sobriety of the
judgment. Hope not by temptation, by flattery, by prejudice, to shake
the immutable character of her mind. There is yet one way unessayed. You
must advance, if you would form the slightest expectations of victory,
by secret and invisible steps. Her virtue must be surrounded, entangled
and enmeshed, or ever her suspicions be awakened, or her integrity
alarmed. This can be effected only by the instrumentality of pleasure.
Pleasure has risen triumphant over many a heart that riches could not
conquer, and that ambition could not subdue. What though she has
resisted temptation under the most alluring form, when her thoughts were
collected and all around was silence?--Let the board of luxury be
spread. Let the choicest dainties be heaped together in unbounded
profusion. Let the most skilful musicians awake the softest instruments.
Pages:
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185