The perverseness and contradiction I have too often seen, in some of my
visits, even among people of sense, as well as condition, had prejudiced
me to the married state; and, as I knew I could not bear it, surely I was
in the right to decline it: And you see, my dear, that I have not gone
among this class of people for a wife; nor know I, indeed, where, in any
class, I could have sought one, or had one suitable to my mind, if not
you: For here is my misfortune; I could not have been contented to have
been but moderately happy in a wife.
Judge you, from all this, if I could very well bear that you should think
yourself so well secured of my affection, that you could take the faults
of others upon yourself; and, by a supposed supererogatory merit, think
your interposition sufficient to atone for the faults of others.
Yet am I not perfect myself: No, I am greatly imperfect. Yet will I not
allow, that my imperfections shall excuse those of my wife, or make her
think I ought to bear faults in her, that she can rectify, because she
bears greater from me.
Upon the whole, I may expect, that you will bear with me, and study my
temper, till, and only till, you see I am capable of returning insult for
obligation; and till you think, that I shall be of a gentler deportment,
if I am roughly used, than otherwise.
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