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THE EVENING BEFORE MARRIAGE. 255 
itig with God, so pure, so peaceful, so beneficent 
to mortals." 
" See, dear heart," continued the aunt, " there 
are virtues which arise out of mere experience. 
These grow old with time, and alter, because, by 
change of circumstances and "inclination, prudence 
alters her means of action, and because her 
growth does not always keep pace with that of 
our years and passions. But religious virtues can 
never change; these remain eternally the same, 
because our God is always the same, and that 
eternity the same, which we and those who love 
us are hastening to enter. Preserve, then, a mind 
innocent and pure, looking for every thing from 
God. Thus will that beauty of soul remain for 
which thy bridegroom to-day adores thee. I am 
no bigot, no fanatic ; I am thy aunt of seven and 
twenty. I love all innocent and rational amuse- 
ments. But for this very reason I say to thee, 
Be a dear, good Christian, and thou wilt as a 
mother, yes, as a grandmother, be still beautiful." 
Louise threw her arms about her neck, and 
wept in silence, and whispered, " I thank thee, 
angel." ^ anox. 
^ 
