ABSTRACT
There are moments of rapture scattered thinly in almost every lot, the happiness of which is too intense to last, and which perhaps, if much prolonged, would, by the agitation they produce in the mind, degenerate into pain. Providence therefore has wisely ordered, that the brightest objects shall have a shadowed side, and that the most fortunate and favourable events shall still be mixed with some alloy inseparable from this state of trial. e present moments were such to Ned Evans: – the most lovely and most beloved of women was leaning on his bosom: he adored her with all the powers of his soul; and he had now for the rst time the supreme delight to hear her own a similar a ection, and candidly confess a mutual ame – ‘But, oh! my Edward,’ said the charming Cecilia, ‘though truth and gratitude/ compel me to acknowledge to you the sentiments of my heart, yet think not that I ever can be yours; whatever may be my wishes in your favour, yet I am not at my own disposal. My father loves you, esteems you – and I have his commands to tell you, that his gratitude to you will not cease but with his life. Yet, oh! my Edward, did he suspect there was any attachment of love between us, I know how soon his pride would eradicate all these sentiments – I know he would rather see us both dead at his feet, than that we should be united. My brother too, with pride still greater, and a heart far less tender and a ectionate, would become your ercest enemy; whilst in the storms that would ensue your poor Cecilia’s peace would su er shipwreck.’ – ‘Rather let mine be destroyed for ever!’ replied the enraptured Edward: ‘but say, my Cecilia (for I must claim the privilege to call you by that tender name), Will you not allow me to hope? Can you have the goodness to acknowledge to me a sentiment in my favour, and the cruelty with/ the same breath to bid me despair?’ – ‘No, Mr. Evans!’ said Cecilia: ‘I do not bid you despair; but, for both our sakes, I beg of you to act with the utmost caution and circumspection. You must consider your own situation as well as mine; your country calls you now, and I know my gallant Edward will not let her voice be drowned by the lamentations of a silly woman; for, alas, I must and will lament you! But while my sincerity confesses this, the same sincerity obliges me to declare, that I would not su er you to remain, though it were in my
power. e call of honour must be obeyed; and I will not scruple to say to you, that your honour is dearer to me even than your life.’
