1118ページ中759ページ

She regarded it as certain as if she had been told it by one

having authority, that the misfortunes of Lucy were a punishment

from Heaven for her connection with that villain, and a warning

to withdraw herself from him entirely. That settled the

determination to lend her co-operation to further so desirable a

work; for as she frequently said to herself and others, "Was it

not her constant study to second the will of Heaven?" But, alas!

she often fell into the terrible mistake of taking for the will

of Heaven, the vain imaginings of her own brain. However, she was

on the present occasion very careful not to exhibit any of her

proposed intentions. It was one of her maxims, that the first

rule to be observed in accomplishing a good design, is to keep

your motives to yourself.