ARTHUR
89

“Didn't I also claim to be a wise, active, and courageous person, like you? If I'm stupid and weak, don't I owe you the same cause that made you so? Is your progress useful to me as well? You want to acquire knowledge, by traveling and talking to many people, and learning many sciences; but you want it for yourself. I you think poor, weak, and despicable; unsuitable for anything other than to turn and stir. As long as I exist, protected from the weather, enough to eat and drink, you are satisfied. As for strengthening my mind and expanding my knowledge, these things are valuable to you, but to me they are discarded. I don't deserve that gift."

This tension, simple and what it is, is completely unexpected. I was surprised and confused. In my previous reasoning, I must have considered her gender completely unsuitable for scenes and pursuits that I had predestined myself for. Undoubtedly the validity of my conclusions has insinuated itself; but now my beliefs are shaken, though not subverted. I cannot deny that human ignorance can be cured in the same way in one sex as another; that fortitude and skill are no less valuable to one than another.

Without question, my friend was made, by her age and experience, if not by gender, more helpless and dependent than I was; but am I not inclined to overestimate the difficulties I have to face? Do I not consider unjust the constancy and strength of his mind? Marriage would make her property one, and would not force me to stay in the forest, to stay forever in one place, to shackle my curiosity, or limit my travels.

But marriage is a terrible and irrevocable contract. Is this the woman with whom I reasoned to order me to fuse my fate, without the power of dissolution? Wouldn't time reveal qualities in him that I don't currently suspect, and that would show an incurable difference in our minds? Will time not take me to the feet of someone closer to the ideal standard of perfection that poets and romances have shown in my view?

This consideration is very strong and subtle. I don't know in what terms to state it to my colleague, to avoid accusations of arrogance or irreverence. However, it became me to be explicit, and to arouse his hatred rather than mislead his judgment. He collected my point from a few words, and, interrupting me, said, "How low do you think poor Eliza is! We are too young to get married. May I not see You, and talk to You, without being Your Wife? May I not share your knowledge, ease your worries? & enjoy your confidence, as a sister might? May I not accompany you on your travels and studies, as one friend accompanies another? My Treasure may be yours; you may use it to your advantage and mine; not because you belong to my husband, but to my friend. You're going to the city. Let me go with you. Let me stay where you live. A house big enough to hold you will hold me. Good enough rates for you would be a luxury for me. Oh, let it be, huh?

With this said, his earnestness gave new grief to his voice. Unknowingly she brought her face closer to mine, and, swept away beyond measure by the charm of the image she had imagined, she pressed her lips against my cheek, and repeated, with a melted accent, "Will you let me ?"

You, my friends, who have never seen Eliza Hadwin , cannot imagine what effect this demand has had on me. She must have had the sweetest voice, the most talkative features, and the most subtle symmetry a woman has ever had. Its sincere simplicity and gentleness made it even more dazzling. Being the object of devotion to such a strong and pure heart is, of course, not a common privilege. Thus did he soften my own; and should not the gift be received with great zeal and gratitude?

No. gabe. I am not so foreign to mankind as to agree to this scheme. As my sister or my wife, the world will let us live under one roof; apply to the common use of the same property; and every day to enjoy the company of one another; and; but she is not my sister, and marriage would be the most unwise act. I explained to him, briefly, the objection that was the responsibility of his project.