THE CORAL RING. 209 
religion is treated with contempt, as if the con¬ 
tempt were shown to herself. Do you not know 
the power which is given to you women to awe 
and restrain us in your presence, and to guard the 
sacredness of things which you treat as holy ? 
Believe me, Florence, that Fortesque, infidel as he 
is, would reverence a woman with whom he dared 
not trifle on sacred subjects.” 
Florence rose from her seat with a heightened 
color, her dark eyes brightening through tears. 
“ I am sure what you say is just, cousin, and 
yet I have never thought of it before. I will — I 
am determined to begin, after this, to live with 
some better purpose than I have done.” 
“ And let me tell you, Florence, in starting a 
new course, as in learning to walk, taking the first 
step is every thing. Now, I have a first step to 
propose to you.” 
“ Well, cousin.” 
“ Well, you know, I suppose, that among your 
train of adorers you number Colonel Elliot.” 
Florence smiled. 
“ And perhaps you do not know, what is cer¬ 
tainly true, that among the most discerning and 
cool part of his friends, Elliot is considered as a 
lost man.” 
“ Good Heavens! Edward, what do you mean? ” 
“ Simply this, that, with all his brilliant talents, 
his amiable and generous feelings, and his success 
in society, Elliot has not self-control enough to 
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