He loves you with too deep and true a love, my child, for girlish trifling like this.

And let me warn you of the danger you incur of turning against you the spirit of such a man.

I have studied his character closely, and I see in it an element of firmness that, if it once sets itself, will be as inflexible as iron.

If you repeat acts of this kind, the day must come when forbearance will cease; and then, in turning from you, it will be never to turn back again.

Harden him against you once, and it will be for all time." Irene wept bitterly at this strong representation, and trembled at thought of the danger she had escaped.
To her husband, when she was alone with him again, she confessed her fault, and prayed him to let the memory of it pass from his mind for ever.