It was not from a want of confidence in you." "If you could have loved Richard, it would have been well for you, my dear Gabriella; but I know the heart admits of no coercion, and least of all a heart like yours.

I no longer warn, for it is in vain; but I would counsel and instruct.

If you _do_ become the wife of my son, you will assume a responsibility as sacred as it is deep.

Not alone for your happiness do I tremble, O Gabriella,--I fear,--I dread, for him." "Oh! Mrs.Linwood, when I love him so exclusively, so devotedly; when I feel that I must love him forever--" "It is the very exclusiveness and strength of your devotion that I fear.
You will love him too well for your _own_ peace,--too well for _his_ good.

Far better is a rational, steadfast attachment, that neither rises above the worth of the object, nor sinks below it, than the two great extremes, idolatry and indifference.