Happiness and misery rather the result of prudence than of virtue in this life.

Temporal evils or felicities being regarded by heaven as things merely in themselves trifling and unworthy its care in the distribution I had now been confined more than a fortnight, but had not since my arrival been visited by my dear Olivia, and I greatly longed to see her.
Having communicated my wishes to my wife, the next morning the poor girl entered my apartment, leaning on her sister's arm.

The change which I saw in her countenance struck me.

The numberless graces that once resided there were now fled, and the hand of death seemed to have molded every feature to alarm me.

Her temples were sunk, her forehead was tense, and a fatal paleness sate upon her cheek.
'I am glad to see thee, my dear,' cried I; 'but why this dejection Livy?
I hope, my love, you have too great a regard for me, to permit disappointment thus to undermine a life which I prize as my own.