ABSTRACT
Sharp and terrible were the struggles of my poor sister’s mind in this unlooked- for situation. There were two persons, between whom her entire heart was divided; and one of these was an irreconcilable enemy to the other. It is the law of morality, that a woman ‘shall leave father and mother, and all the kindred of her birth, and cleave unto her husband’. a It is the nature of human feelings, that when the irresistible sentiment of love has been awakened in the youthful breast, all other considerations fade before it. It is true, we do not scruple to blame with severity those, who being / once touched with this mighty passion, think of nothing but the gratification of their own partialities, and regard all other inducements and pleas, divine and human, as unworthy of their attention. However powerful, and however subtle may be the insinuations of love, a truly virtuous person will rather die, than yield to any unhallowed indulgence; and this very sentiment will often enable them, to ‘set at nought the frivolous bolt of Cupid’. b But had not Henrietta passed through a sufficient ordeal? Surely her trials had multiplied, to a degree to satisfy the demands of the severest morality; and she was entitled to the reward.
