ABSTRACT
Delmont had been a fortnight absent, and Mrs. Glenmorris perceived from the style of his letters, that though he forbore to say so, his perplexities increased, and that there was but little probability of his immediately getting through them; yet with the slight mention which he thought necessary to make of business, he mingled so much of literary anecdote and sensible remark, that she hoped the affairs still detaining him were not likely to have any very unpleasant consequences. Though possessing herself an unusual share of fortitude, she did not imagine so young a man as Delmont, with acute feelings and warm passions, could so easily call off his mind from any very embarrassing circumstances, and apply it with so much gaiety to matters of amusement. But all the worth of Delmont Mrs. Glenmorris could not yet know, nor how greatly his constant habit of reflecting on the real value of every object had given his reason the ascendency over all those inferior motives which agitate the greater part of mankind. It is only at a later period of life that most minds, however strong, dare venture to leave the beaten track, and deviate into sense and freedom. Delmont, at an age when the laws of the country had but just emancipated him from tutelage, was already exempt from the dominion of those paltry pleasures and servile prejudices that influence the conduct, or disgrace the understanding, of the generality of young men.
