“We are rarely mistaken, Florence,” replied Carlotti, “as to the real sentiment involved in the words used by those with whom we converse.  Words are the expressions of thoughts, and these the form of affections.  What a man really feels in reference to any subject, will generally appear in the tones of his voice, no matter whether he speak lightly or seriously.  Depend upon it, this is so.  It was the manner in which Leland spoke that satisfied me as to his real feelings, more than the language he used.  Judging him in this way, I am well convinced that, in his heart, he despises religion; and no man who does this, can possibly make a right-minded woman happy.”

The gentle warning of Carlotti was not wholly lost on Florence.  She had great confidence in the judgment of her friend, and did not feel that it would be right to wholly disregard her admonitions.

“What answer can I make?” said she, drawing a long sigh.  “He urges an early response to his suit.”

“Duty to yourself, Florence, demands a time for consideration.  Marriage is a thing of too vital moment to be decided upon hurriedly.  Say to him in reply, that his offer is unexpected, and that you cannot give an immediate answer, but will do so at the earliest possible moment.”

“So cold a response may offend him.”

“If it does, then he will exhibit a weakness of character unfitting him to become the husband of a sensible woman.  If he be really attracted by your good qualities, he will esteem you the more for this act of prudence.  He will understand that you set a high regard upon the marriage relation, and do not mean to enter into it unless you know well the person to whom you commit your happiness in this world, and, in all probability, the next.”

“A coldly calculating spirit, Carlotti, that nicely weighs and balances the merits and defects of one beloved, is, in my view, hardly consonant with true happiness in marriage.  All have defects of character.  All are born with evil inclinations of one kind or another.  Love seeks only for good in the object of affection.  Affinities of this kind are almost spontaneous in their birth.  We love more from impulse than from any clear appreciation of character—­perceiving good qualities by a kind of instinct rather than searching for them.”

“A doctrine, Florence,” said Carlotti, “that has produced untold misery in the married life.  As I said at first, it is only the moral virtue of her husband that a woman can love—­it is only this, as a uniting principle, that can make two married partners one.  The qualities of all minds express themselves in words and actions, and, by a close observance of these latter, we may determine the nature of the former.  We cannot perceive them with sufficient clearness to arrive at a sound judgment:  the only safe method is to determine the character of the tree by its fruits.  Take sufficient time to arrive at a knowledge of Mr. Leland’s character by observation, and then you can accept or reject him under the fullest assurance that you are acting wisely.”