The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-05-29
Awo,rAu,s PExA
What George 1liet Said Atslt 8sr &sis.
tioA 20 Loves.

l
| NoA 20 Loves.
Letter In Cross fafe Of George Eliot
If there is any one action or rel alton
of my life which is and always haabeen
profoundly serious. it is my relation to
Mr.. Lewes. Il is, however, natural
enotgh that yeu should mistake ine in
many ways, for not only are you mac
quainted with Mr.. Lewes' real clhrac-
ter and tho sense Of his sections, but also
it is seven years now since you and I
were much together. and il is possible
that the notifications nv mind has lin:
dergone may he quite in the opposite
direction Of what you imagine.
No one can be better aware than
yourself that it 10 possible for two people
to hold different opinions on momen-
teus suhjecta with eatial sincerity, and
ah equally earnest conviction that their
respective opinions are alone the truly
moral ones. If We differ on the subject
of the marriage laws at least can be-
lieve of you that you cleaye to what you
believe to be good; and I don't know of
ANYTHING in tho nature Of your views
that should prevent you from believing
the same Of me. How for We differ (
think we neither of us know, for I am
ignorant of your precise views; and,
apparently you attribute to me both feel
ings and opinions which are not mine.
We cannot set each other quite right in
this matter in letters, but one thing I
tan tell yot In few words. Light and
easily broken ties ore what 1 neither de-
sire theoretically nor could live for
practically. Women who are satisfied
with such ties net al I have done. y 8
That any unworthy, interpretations
person who Is sufficiently acquainted
with the realities of life can pronounce
my relation TO Mr.. 1ewes immoral, I
can only understand by remembering
how subtle and complex are the infius
ences that mould opinion. But do re-
member this, and i indulge in no AFRO
giant or uncharitable thoughts about
those who condemn US. even though
we might have expected o somewhat
different verdict. From the majority
of persons, Of course, we never looked
for anything but condemnation. We
are leading no life Of self-indulgence;
except. indeed, that being happy in each
other, we find everything easy. We are
working hard to provide for others bet
ter than we provide for ourselves,
and SO fulfill every responsibility
that lies upon us. Levity and pride
would not be sufficient basis for that.
Pardon me if, in indicating myself
from unjust conclusions, seem too
cold and self-assorting. I should not
care to vindicate myself if I did not
love you and desire to relieve you OF the
pain which you say these conclusions
have given you. Whatever I may have
nlisinterpreted before, do not misin-
terpret your letter this morning, but
read in it nothing else than love and
kindness towards me, to which my heart
fully answers yes.
Ishould NE never to write about
myself again II Is MT + healthy to dwell
on ones feelings and cofidu... but only
to try and live more faithfully ~ ~
lovingly every fresh day: I think not
one Of the endless words and deeds Of
kindness and forbearance you have
ever shown me has vanished
from my memory. Irecall them often,
and feel, as about everything else in the
past, how deficient I have been in al
most every relation in my life. But
that deficiency is irrevocable, and can
find no strength or comfort except in
pressing forward towards the things
that are before, and trying to make the
present better than the past. But il
we never should be very near each other
again, dear Clara, do bear this faith in
your MUD, that am not insenlble or
ungrateful to all your goodness and
that I am one among the many for
whom you have not lived in vain. I
am very busy just now, and have been
obliged to write hastily. Bear this in
mind, and believe that no meaning is
mine which .contradicts my assurance
that an your afectionate AID earnest
friend