Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1849-12-12

unexpected, and that you canno
give an immediate answer, but will
do SO at the earliest possible mo.
ment.''
$50 cold response may ofFene
him."
eff it does, then he will exhibit &
weakness of character uniting hin
to become the husband of sensibl.
woman. The be really attracted BY
your good qualities, he will esteem
] you the more for this act of pru.
dence. He will understand that yor
set high regard upon the marriage
relation, and do not mean to enter
into it unless you know well the
person to whom you commit you hap.
piness in this world, and, in all prob.
ability, the next"
"a cold calculating spirit, Carlotti
that nicely weighs and balances the
merits ard defects of one beloved, is
in my view, hardly consonannt will
true happiness in marriage. All have
defects of character. All are borr
with evil inclinations eff one kind OF
another. Love seeks only for gooo
in the object of affection. Affinities
of this kind are almost spontaneous
in their birth. We love more from
impulse than from any clear appre-
cation of character-pcrceiving good
qualities by kind Of instinct, rather
than searching for them.''
GA doctrine, Florence" said Car
lotti, "that has produced untold
misery in the married life. As
said at first, it is only the moral
virtue of her husband that a woman
can love-it is only this as uniting
principle, that can make two married
partners one. The qualities of all
minds express themselves in words
and actions, and by a close obser-
vance of these latter, we may deter
mine the nature of the former. We
cannot perceive them with suffi cient
clearness to arrive at sound judg-
ment: the only safe method is to de-
termine the character of the tree by
its fruits. Take SUFFICE time to
arrive at knowledge of Mr.. Leland's
character by observation, and then
you can accept or object him under
the fullest assurance that you are
acting wisely"
"Perhaps you are right,' muir
INJURED Florence. 81 will weigh
carfully what you haze said"
And she did so. Much to the dis
appointment of Mr.. Leland, he re-
ceived reply from Florence, asking
a short time for reflection.
When Florence next met the
young man, there was, anatural con-
sequence, some slight embarrassment
on both sides. On separating, Flor
ence experienced a certain unfavor-
able impression towards him; al
though she could not trace it to any
thing he had said or done. At their
next meeting, Leland's reserve had
disappeared; and he exhibited a bet
ter flow of spirits. He was more of
of his guard than usual, and said a
good many things that rather sur
prised Florence.
Impatient of delay, Leland again
pressed his suit; but Florence was
farther than ever from being ready
to give an answer. She was not
prepared to reject him; and, as little
prepared to give favorable answer
Her request to be allowed further
time for consideration wounded his
pride; and acting under its influence:
he determined to have his revenge by
suing for the hand of another nader
and bearing her to the altar while she
was hesitating over the offer he hac
made. With this purpose in view
he penned kind and polite note
approving her elaboration, and de.
string her to take the fullest time
for reflections: "Marriage,' said he
in this note, ssis too serious matte.
to be decided upon hastily. 1t is {
life-union, and the parties who make
it should be well satisfied that there
exists mutual fitness for eacl
other.'
Two days passed after Florence
received this note, before seeing le1
friend Carlotti. She then calico
upon her in order to have further
conversation on the subject of thu
proposal she had received. The
tenor Of this note had produced +;
favorable change in her feelings, ane
she felt STRONGLY disposed to make
speedy termination Of the debate il
her mind, by accepting her attactivt
sutton.
care you not well?" was her frs
remark on seeing Carlotti; for he,
friend looked pale and troubled.
"Not very well, DEAR" replied
Carlotti, making an effort to assume
cheerful aspect.
i The mind of Florence was too in.
; tent on the one interesting subiec
that occupied it, to linger long OF
onv othor thoma Rnt n ehort ~,