I have letters to write, and visits to pay. You cannot be so cruel?--By heaven, madam, this torment is more than nature can support! Less impetuosity, Clifton; less raptures, and more reason. You would have me rock, madam! Unfeeling marble! I would have you a man; a rational, and, if possible, a wise one. Stay at least for a moment!--Hear me!--Do not leave me in these doubts! What doubts?--Do I not tell you the words are Mr. Henley's? The air is mine. If setting them were any guilt, it is a guilt of which I am not conscious. Shew me that it is criminal and I will instantly retract. We must either overcome these narrow, these selfish propensities, or we shall hope in vain to be happy. I--I--I make no accusation-- Do but examine before you accuse, and I will patiently hear and cheerfully answer to accusation. If you think it wrong in me not to treat virtue and genius with neglect, bring me your proofs, and if I cannot demonstrate their fallacy I will own my error. Let me add, the accusation of reason is a duty; from which, though painful, we ought not to shrink. It is the mistaken accusation of the passions only at which justice bids the heart revolt. Here, Louisa, once again I left him, with struggles apparently more acute than the former. And my own mind is so affected, so oppressed as it were by crowds of ideas, that I do not yet know whether this were an accident to be wished, or even whether I have entirely acted as I ought. My mind will grow calmer, and I will then begin the scrutiny. I am minute in relating these particulars, because I am very desirous of doing right. And who is so capable of being my judge, or who so anxious I should not err, as my dear Louisa, my friend, my sister? All good be with you! A. W. ST. IVES LETTER LXXVII _Coke Clifton to Guy Fairfax_ _London, Dover-Street_ Oh, Fairfax, if my choler rose when last I wrote, where shall I now find words hot enough to paint the phrensy of my soul?--How could I rage and rave!--Is it come to this?--So barefaced!--So fearless!--So unblushingly braved!--