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Agnes Grey Anne Bronte 11820K 2023-09-02

Of course, I pitied her exceedingly; as well for her false idea of happiness and disregard of duty, as for the wretched partner hom her fate was linked I said what I could to coht she , by kindness, example, and persuasion, to try to ameliorate her husband; and then, when she had done all she could, if she still found hiible, to endeavour to abstract herself frority, and trouble herself as little about hi her duty to God and man, to put her trust in Heaven, and solace herself with the care and nurture of her little daughter; assuring her she would be ath and wisdoenuine affection

'But I can't devote myself entirely to a child,' said she; 'it may die--which is not at all improbable'

'But, with care,row so intolerably like its father that I shall hate it'

'That is not likely; it is a little girl, and strongly resembles its mother'

'No matter; I should like it better if it were a boy--only that its father will leave it no inheritance that he can possibly squander away What pleasure can I have in seeing a girl grow up to eclipse me, and enjoy those pleasures that I aenerous as to take delight in this, still it is ONLY a child; and I can't centre all ree better than devoting oneself to a dog And as for all the wisdo to instil into ht and proper, I daresay, and if I were soht fructify by it: but people ; and if others won't let them--why, they must hate them for it!'

'The best way to enjoy yourself is to do what is right and hate nobody The end of Religion is not to teach us how to die, but how to live; and the earlier you becoood, the more of happiness you secure And now, Lady Ashby, I have one more piece of advice to offer you, which is, that you will not et into the way of holding her at ar her with jealous distrust I never saw her, but I have heard good as well as evil respecting her; and I ieneral de affections for those who can reach theh so blindly attached to her son, she is not without good principles, or incapable of hearing reason If you would but conciliate her a little, and adopt a friendly, open rievances, such as you have a right to complain of--it is my firm belief that she would, in time, become your faithful friend, and a comfort and support to you, instead of the incubus you describe her' But I fearlady; and, finding I could render myself so little serviceable, my residence at Ashby Park became doubly painful But still, Ione, as I had pro all entreaties and induce the nextthat my mother would be lonely without me, and that she impatiently expected my return Nevertheless, it ith a heavy heart that I bade adieu to poor Lady Ashby, and left her in her princely hoht additional proof of her unhappiness, that she should so cling to the consolation of eneral tastes and ideas were so little congenial to her ohootten in her hour of prosperity, and whose presence would be rather a nuisance than a pleasure, if she could but have half her heart's desire