“And the misfortune is, the most innocent are generally the most credulous.  Such a lady would do no harm to others, and cannot think others would do her any.  And as to the particular person who has obtained, perhaps, a share in her confidence, he cannot, she thinks, be so ungrateful, as to return irreparable mischief for her good-will to him.  Were all the men in the world besides to prove false, the beloved person cannot.  ’Twould be unjust to her own merit, as well as to his views, to suppose it:  and so design on his side, and credulity and self-opinion, on the lady’s, at last enrol the unhappy believer in the list of the too-late repenters.”

“And what, Madam,” said the dean, “has not that wretch to answer for, who makes sport of destroying a virtuous character, and in being the wicked means of throwing, perhaps, upon the town, and into the dregs of prostitution, a poor creature, whose love for him, and confidence in him, was all her crime? and who otherwise might have made a worthy figure at the head of a reputable family, and so have been an useful member of the commonwealth, propagating good examples, instead of ruin and infamy, to mankind?  To say nothing of, what is still worse, the dreadful crime of occasioning the loss of a soul; since final impenitence too generally follows the first sacrifice which the poor wretch is seduced to make of her honour!”

“There are several gentlemen in our neighbourhood,” said Mrs. Brooks, “who might be benefited by this touching reflection, if represented in the same strong lights from the pulpit.  And I think, Mr. Dean, you should give us a sermon upon this subject, for the sake of both sexes, one for caution, the other for conviction.”

“I will think of it,” replied he, “but I am sorry to say, that we have too many among our younger gentry who would think themselves pointed at were I to touch this subject ever so cautiously.”

“I am sure,” said Mrs. Towers, “there cannot well be a more useful one; and the very reason the dean gives, is a convincing proof of it to me.”

“When I have had the pleasure of hearing the further sentiments of such an assembly as this, upon the delicate subject,” replied this polite divine, “I shall be better enabled to treat it.  And pray, ladies, proceed; for it is from your conversation that I must take my hints.”

“You have only, then,” said Mrs. Towers, “to engage Mrs. B. to speak, and you may be sure, we will all be as attentive to her, as we shall be to you, when we have the pleasure to hear so fine a genius improving upon her hints, from the pulpit.”

I bowed to Mrs. Towers; and knowing she praised me, with the dean’s view, in order to induce the young ladies to give the greater attention to what she wished me to speak, I said, it would be a great presumption in me, after so high a compliment, to open my lips:  nevertheless, as I was sure, by speaking, I should have the benefit of instruction, whenever it made them speak, I would not be backward to enter upon any subject; for that I should consider myself as a young counsel, in some great cause, who served but to open it and prepare the way for those of greater skill and abilities.