It is labor in
vain to point out to them that an affection, unaccompanied by the
necessary precautions, should be repelled by a young lady as an
insult to the dignity of her sex. But they will readily listen to any
language that flatters their vanity, which paves the way to so many
fatal friendships that often entail a lifetime of woe and sorrow.
When necessity or propriety requires your presence in society,
somewhat brilliant, where you must inevitably come in contact with
young men whom perhaps you do not know; then you should guard the
senses, the mind and the heart with vigilant care; without ceasing on
that account to be simple and natural in your whole demeanor; for the
most vigilant are neither troubled nor embarrassed on account of
their vigilance; yet excessive fear of being recreant either to duty
or propriety in such like circumstances, would only expose you to
greater danger of falling into the snare you try to avoid, as it
would pre-occupy the mind and weaken the will. In such conjunctures,
remain as near as possible to your mother, keeping your eyes fixed
upon hers, always hearkening with a tender respect to the mysterious
language that escapes from the maternal heart; a language easily
understood by a daughter that loves the virtue of filial piety.
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