She, therefore, would have no difficulty in thinking that such a life was consistent with cheerfulness, but ordinary readers will ask how it could fail to bring on another fit of hypochondria.

The answer is probably to be found in the last words of the passage.

Overstrained and ascetic piety found an antidote in affection.

The Unwins were Puritans and enthusiasts, but their household was a picture of domestic love.
With the name of Mrs.Cowper is connected an incident which, occurred at this time, and which illustrates the propensity to self-inspection and self-revelation which Cowper had in common with Rousseau.
Huntingdon, like other little towns, was all eyes and gossip; the new comer was a mysterious stranger who kept himself aloof from the general society, and he naturally became the mark for a little stone-throwing.
Young Unwin happening to be passing near "the Park" on his way from London to Huntingdon, Cowper gave him an introduction to its lady, in a letter to whom he afterwards disclosed his secret motive.

"My dear Cousin,--You sent my friend Unwin home to us charmed, with your kind reception of him, and with everything he saw at the Park.