for him to reform, to become a valuable member of society, and, when connected with a lady of virtue and refinement, to be capable of making a good husband.”  “I cannot conceive that such a lady would be willing to risk her all upon the slender prospect of his reformation.  I hope the one with whom I am conversing has no inclination to so hazardous an experiment.”  “Why, not much.”  “Not much!  If you have any, why do you continue to encourage Mr. Boyer’s addresses?” “I am not sufficiently acquainted with either, yet, to determine which to take.  At present, I shall not confine myself in any way.  In regard to these men, my fancy and my judgment are in scales; sometimes one preponderates, sometimes the other; which will finally prevail, time alone can reveal.”  “O my cousin, beware of the delusions of fancy!  Reason must be our guide if we would expect durable happiness.”  At this instant a servant opened the door, and told me that Major Sanford waited in the parlor.  Being ready, I wished Mrs. Richman a good evening, and went down.  Neither General Richman nor his lady appeared.  He therefore handed me immediately into his phaeton, and we were soon in the assembly room.

I was surprised, on my entrance, to find Mr. Selby there, as he did not mention, at dinner, his intention of going.  He attached himself to our party, and, in the intervals of dancing, took every opportunity of conversing with me.  These, however, were not many; for Major Sanford assiduously precluded the possibility of my being much engaged by any one else.  We passed the evening very agreeably; but the major’s importunity was rather troublesome as we returned home.  He insisted upon my declaring whether Mr. Boyer really possessed my affections, and whether I intended to confer myself on him or not.  “If,” said he, “you answer me in the affirmative, I must despair; but if you have not absolutely decided against me, I will still hope that my persevering assiduity, my faithful love, may at last be rewarded.”  I told him that I was under no obligation to give him any account of my disposition towards another, and that he must remember the terms of our present association to which he had subscribed.  I therefore begged him to waive the subject now, if not forever.  He asked my pardon, if he had been impertinent, but desired leave to renew his request that I would receive his visits, his friendly visits.  I replied that I could not grant this, and that he must blame himself, not me, if he was an unwelcome guest at General Richman’s.  He lamented the prejudices which my friends had imbibed against him, but flattered himself that I was more liberal than to be influenced by them without any positive proof of demerit, as it was impossible that his conduct towards me should ever deviate from the strictest rules of honor and love.