If truth and justice require it, madam, even all these ought to be disregarded. Indubitably. Did I know a man, upon the face of the earth, who had a still deeper sense of your high qualities and virtues than I have, who understood them more intimately, would study them, emulate them more, and profit better by them, I have confidence enough in myself to say I would resign you without repining. But, when I think on the union between mind and mind--the aggregate--! I want language, madam--! I understand you. When I reflect on the wondrous happiness we might enjoy, while mutually exerting ourselves in the general cause of virtue, I confess the thought of renouncing so much bliss, or rather such a duty to myself and the world, is excruciating torture. Your idea of living for the cause of virtue delights me; it is in full concord with my own. But whether that great cause would best be promoted by our union, or not, is a question which we are incapable of determining: though I think probabilities are for the negative. Facts and observation have given me reason to believe that the too easy gratification of our desires is pernicious to mind; and that it acquires vigour and elasticity from opposition. And would you then upon principle, madam, marry a man whom you must despise? No, not despise. If indeed I were all I could wish to be, I am persuaded I should despise no one. I should endeavour to instruct the ignorant, and reform the erroneous. However, I will tell you what sort of a man I should wish to marry. First he must be a person of whom no prejudice, no mistake of any kind, should induce the world, that is, the persons nearest and most connected with me in the world, to think meanly--Shall I be cited by the thoughtless, the simple, and the perverse, in justification of their own improper conduct?--You cannot wish it, Frank!--Nor is this the most alarming fear--My friends!--My relations!--My father!--To incur a father's reproach for having dishonoured his family were fearful: but to meet, to merit, to live under his curse!--God of heaven forbid! Must we then never dare to counteract mistake? Must mind, though enlightened by truth, submit to be the eternal slave of error?--What is there that is thus dreadful, madam, in the curse of prejudice? Have not the greatest and the wisest of mankind been cursed by ignorance?