t, that their future connection would be
auspicious of the happiest results.

Where a true understanding of each other's characters, and an esteem,
sustained by self-respect, exists, the communications, however
conducted, whether by personal interviews, or by correspondence, will be
of a rational description. The letters will not be crowded with
nauseating compliments, with nonsense and vanity, but will contain good
thoughts, no less than the expression of pure feeling, and generous
sentiments. There will be nothing of insincerity, nor what would lead a
stranger, who perused them, to say that they were mere folly and
illusions.

A lady should feel bound, from the moment of her engagement, to be true
to her plighted word. She is forbidden, by every dictate of Honor, from
pursuing any course of conduct that will give pain to her friend. There
is a steadiness of feeling and purpose, under these circumstances, which
cannot be too highly commended. "What state could fall," asks a recent
writer, "what liberty decay, if the zeal of man's noisy patriotism was
as pure as the silent loyalty of woman's love." Erring,--all human as
she is, to others,--God gifts her with a thousand virtues, to the one
she loves; it is from that love, that she drinks her nobler nature;--it
gives her the meekness of a dove, the devotion of a saint. In his
danger, she has the sagacity of the serpent, and the courage of the
lioness. Like the chivalrous knight, she who thus feels, will "avoid no
foe, forsake no love."

There are those who apparently enjoy the opposite of this course. They
consent to receive marked attentions from others in company. A French
author says he has known individuals among his countrywomen, "who
unconsciously, actuated by a thirst for emotion, provoked very lively
scenes with their lovers, solely to obtain for themselves the pleasure
of tears, reproaches, and reconciliations." This luxury is one, in which
no lady of principle will indulge herself. Agreeable as an occasional
conquest, or flirtation, might be to her, she will sacredly abstain from
every act that tends in this direction. The sure possession of one true
heart, one affianced protector, and unalterable friend, will suffice her
desires.

Nor is it enough to refrain from encouraging the open attentions of
others, the truly loyal one will not allow herself to cherish a secret
feeling or preference toward any other. Her every affection will be true
as steel to the m