Never, till this moment, did such a thought cross my mind--I thought it impossible--oh, make me think so still.' 'I will--it is impossible that we can ever be united.' 'I always thought so,' said she, taking breath with a deep sigh.

'Then why not live as we have lived ?' 'I cannot--I cannot answer for myself--I will not run the risk; and therefore I must quit you--knowing, as I do, that there is an invincible obstacle to our union, of what nature I cannot explain; I beg you not to inquire.' 'You need not beg it--I shall not inquire--I have no curiosity--none,' said she, in a passive, dejected tone; 'that is not what I am thinking of in the least.

I know there are invincible obstacles; I wish it to be so.

But, if invincible, you who have so much sense, honour, and virtue--' 'I hope, my dear cousin, that I have honour and virtue.

But there are temptations to which no wise, no good man will expose himself.