do not doubt the Sincerity of the
purest Passion that ever inflamed a human Breast. Think, most adorable Creature,
of my unhappy Situation, of my Despair. - Could I, my Sophia, have flatter'd
myself with the most distant Hopes of being ever permitted to throw myself at
your Feet, in the Manner I do now, it would not have been in the Power of any
other Woman to have inspired a Thought which the severest Chastity could have
condemned. Inconstancy to you! O Sophia! if you can have Goodness enough to
pardon what is past, do not let any cruel future Apprehensions shut your Mercy
against me. - No Repentance was ever more sincere. O! let it reconcile me to my
Heaven in this dear Bosom.« »Sincere Repentance, Mr. Jones,« answered she, »will
obtain the Pardon of a Sinner, but it is from one who is a perfect Judge of that
Sincerity. A human Mind may be imposed on; nor is there any infallible Method to
prevent it. You must expect however, that if I can be prevailed on by your
Repentance to pardon you, I will at least insist on the strongest Proof of its
Sincerity.« - »O! name any Proof in my Power,« answered Jones eagerly. »Time,«
replied she; »Time alone, Mr. Jones, can convince me that you are a true
Penitent, and have resolved to abandon these vicious Courses, which I should
detest you for, if I imagined you capable of persevering in them.« »Do not
imagine it,« cries Jones. »On my Knees I intreat, I implore your Confidence, a
Confidence which it shall be the Business of my Life to deserve.« »Let it then,«
said she, »be the Business of some Part of your Life to shew me you deserve it.
I think I have been explicit enough in assuring you, that when I see you merit
my Confidence, you will obtain it. After what is past, Sir, can you expect I
should take you upon your Word?«
    He replied, »Don't believe me upon my Word; I have a better Security, a
Pledge for my Constancy, which it is impossible to see and to doubt.« »What is
that?« said Sophia, a little surprised. »I will show you, my charming Angel,«
cried Jones, seizing her Hand, and carrying her to the Glass. »There, behold it
there, in that lovely Figure, in that Face, that Shape,
