I find in this calm, peaceful affection,
charms that I had never dreamed of, and you reveal to me a new side of
the feminine character, hitherto utterly unknown to me. Carried away by
fiery passions, and irritated to madness by any opposition, I was like
the wild huntsman of the ancient legend, who stopped for no obstacle,
but rode recklessly over everything in his path. I looked upon whatever
beautiful woman I was in pursuit of as my legitimate prey. I scouted the
very idea of failure, and deemed myself irresistible. At the mention of
virtue, I only shrugged my shoulders, and I think I may say, without too
much conceit, to the only woman I ever pursued who did not yield to me,
that I had reason not to put much faith in it. My mother died when I was
a mere baby; you, my sweet sister, were not near me, and I have never
known, until now, all the purity, tenderness, and sublime courage
of which your sex is capable. I chanced to see you. An irresistible
attraction, in which, perhaps, the unknown tie of blood had its
influence, drew me to you, and for the first time in my life a feeling
of respect and esteem mingled with my passion. Your character delighted
me, even when you drove me to despair. I could not but secretly approve
and admire the modest and courteous firmness with which you rejected
my homage.
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