ay have, if such pains be taken to make him
guilty, by one who means not his reformation by it; nor to do good, if I
may presume to say so in this case, to any body but himself.

I see very plainly, girl, said my uncle, your prepossession, your fond
prepossession, for the person of a man without morals.

Indeed, my dear, said my aunt, you too much justify all your
apprehension. Surprising! that a young creature of virtue and honour
should thus esteem a man of a quite opposite character!

Dear Madam, do not conclude against me too hastily. I believe Mr.
Lovelace is far from being so good as he ought to be: but if every man's
private life was searched into by prejudiced people, set on for that
purpose, I know not whose reputation would be safe. I love a virtuous
character, as much in man as in woman. I think it is requisite, and as
meritorious, in the one as in the other. And, if left to myself, I would
prefer a person of such a character to royalty without it.

Why then, said my uncle--

Give me leave, Sir--but I may venture to say, that many of those who
have escaped censure, have not merited applause.

Permit me to observe further, That Mr. Solmes himself may not be
absolutely faultless. I never head of his virtues. Some vices I have
heard of--Excuse me, Mr. Solmes, I speak to your face--The text about
casting the first stone affords an excellent lesson.

He looked down; but was silent.

Mr. Lovelace may have vices you have not. You may have others, which
he has not. I speak not this to defend him, or to accuse you. No man is
bad, no one is good, in every thing. Mr. Lovelace, for example, is said
to be implacable, and to hate my friends: that does not make me value
him the more: but give me leave to say, that they hate him as much. Mr.
Solmes has his antipathies, likewise; very strong ones, and those to his
own relations; which I don't find to be the other's fault; for he lives
well with his--yet he may have as bad:--worse, pardon me, he cannot
have, in my poor opinion: for what must be the man, who hates his own
flesh?

You know not, Madam; You know not, Niece; all in one breath. You know
not, Clary;

I may not, nor do I desire to know Mr. Solmes's reasons. It concerns not
me to know them: but the world, even the impartial part of it, accuses
him. If the world is unjust or rash, in one man's case, why may it not
be so in another's? That's all I mean by it. Nor can there by a greater
sign of want of merit,