dtheconclusionthatImustleavePelet’s,andthatinstantly“but,”saidPrudence,“youknownotwheretogo,norhowtolive”andthenthedreamoftruelovecameoverme:FrancesHenriseemedtostandatmysideherslenderwaisttoinvitemyarmherhandtocourtmyhandIfeltitwasmadetonestleinmineIcouldnotrelinquishmyrighttoit,norcouldIwithdrawmyeyesforeverfromhers,whereIsawsomuchhappiness,suchacorrespondenceofheartwithheartoverwhoseexpressionIhadsuchinfluencewhereIcouldkindlebliss,infuseawe,stirdeepdelight,rousesparklingspirit,andsometimeswakenpleasurabledread.Myhopestowillandpossess,myresolutionstomeritandrise,roseinarrayagainstmeandhereIwasabouttoplungeintothegulfofabsolutedestitution“andallthis,”suggestedaninwardvoice,“becauseyoufearanevilwhichmayneverhappen!”“ItwillhappenyouKNOWitwill,”answeredthatstubbornmonitor,Conscience.“Dowhatyoufeelisrightobeyme,andeveninthesloughsofwantIwillplantforyoufirmfooting.”Andthen,asIwalkedfastalongtheroad,thereroseuponmeastrange,inly-feltideaofsomeGreatBeing,unseen,butallpresent,whoinHisbeneficencedesiredonlymywelfare,andnowwatchedthestruggleofgoodandevilinmyheart,andwaitedtoseewhetherIshouldobeyHisvoice,heardinthewhispersofmyconscience,orlendaneartothesophismsbywhichHisenemyandmine—theSpiritofEvil—soughttoleadmeastray.RoughandsteepwasthepathindicatedbydivinesuggestionmossyanddecliningthegreenwayalongwhichTemptationstrewedflowersbutwhereas,methought,theDeityofLove,theFriendofallthatexists,wouldsmilewell-pleasedwereItogirdupmyloinsandaddressmyselftotherudeascentso,ontheotherhand,eachinclinationtothevelvetdeclivityseemedtokindleagleamoftriumphonthebrowoftheman-hating,God-defyingdemon.SharpandshortIturnedroundfastIretracedmystepsinhalfanhourIwasagainatM.Pelet’s:Isoughthiminhisstudybriefparley,conciseexplanationsufficedmymannerprovedthatIwasresolvedhe,perhaps,atheartapprovedmydecision.Aftertwentyminutes’conversation,Ire-enteredmyownroom,self-deprivedofthemeansofliving,self-sentencedtoleavemypresenthome,withtheshortnoticeofaweekinwhichtoprovideanother.