And we may be happy in so considering
them, since they would betray a character, even in earliest manhood, too
depraved and debased for honorable mention, although his errors were no
doubt altogether beyond the palliation of a woman's pen. Yet we would
fain look at him, in youth at least, as undebauched and uncorrupt,
however stained may be the record of his manhood.
Between him and Elizabeth Whitman there was, notwithstanding, over all
and under all, a close affinity of spirit; and there is no question,
aside from the frailties and objections which the writer of the romance
has introduced, that there was a marriage of the soul, superseding all
after ties which worldliness and depravity might have consummated, that
overshadows sin, and may not pass into our reckoning. Not only such a
marriage, but one, though secret, actually sanctioned by the laws of the
land, she is known to have declared a fact previous to her death.
Question this who may, that deep down under the impulses of surging
passion there existed a purer and holier affection for her, is in
history sufficiently clear. They had been set in family connection,
intimate by kin, intimate in earliest life by every outward tie, and
especially intimate by the subtile affinities of their spiritual
natures. Yet he who can, under any circumstances, entreat the love of
woman, and then take advantage of her weakness or her confidence, is an
anomaly in nature, and should have a special, judiciary here and in
heaven.
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