The Tangier Smith manor of St. George, address delivered at the eighth annual meeting of the New York branch of the Order of colonial lords of manors in ... of New York on the 24th day of April, 1920

My metamorphosis surprised him; when he saw me at the convent I was gay and coquettish, and a long absence had not effaced me from his memory. At his return he heard what a reputation for devoutness I had acquired, but he could not believe it without further proof; he came to church for the purpose of seeing me and love followed him there. As I was looking round at my neighbors, I perceived Verland; the sight of him made the color fly into my face, and my heart languished to fall into the same fault with him again. The few years that had elapsed had only exalted the character of his attractions and rendered them more effective; they were sufficient to revive my desires and drew me every day to the spot where I had seen them. I was not pleased to see him so slow in his advances; it appears that he saw this, and only waited an opportunity of addressing me, which I took care should be soon. He approached with a timid air, and said: “May a person, who in bygone days has had the happiness to meet you, again presume to present himself before you without giving offence? If the most sincere repentance can wipe away the memory of a fault, you may now look on me without indignation.” As he thus spoke his voice trembled, and I replied that the politeness of the man was sufficient atonement for the imprudence of the boy. “You do not know all my faults; your goodness has just pardoned one crime, but I have more need than ever of your generosity.” After saying this, he remained silent, and although I knew very well what he meant, I answered that I was not aware of the new imprudence of which he spoke. “It is that of adoring you,” said he, kissing my hand ...»