To secure it, I
would do much--strive earnestly--make many sacrifices of self.
Certainly, for this object, I should be always truthful."
"You are, Ralph! I believe you."
"When I praised you, I did not mean merely to praise. I sought rather to
awaken you to a just appreciation of your own claims upon a higher order
of society than that which you can possibly find in this frontier
region. I have spoken only the simple truth of your charms and
accomplishments. I have _felt_ them, Lucy, and paint them only as they
are. Your beauties of mind and person--"
"Oh, do not, I implore you!"
"Yes, I must, Lucy! though of these beauties I should not have
spoken--should not now speak--were it not that I feel sure that your
superior understanding would enable you to listen calmly to a voice,
speaking from my heart to yours, and speaking nothing but a truth which
it honestly believes! And it is your own despondency, and humility of
soul, that prompts me thus to speak in your praise.
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