'JOHN, after he had retired to his chamber, sat down and
penned a few but expressive lines to Fidelia, in which he told her in
simple language, without adornment or exaggeration, that he loved her,
and that on his return he should call upon her to learn from her own
lips whether or not she could love him in return. Never before had he
expressed himself on paper so easily, so feelingly, and so much to
his own satisfaction. After he had written his letter he read it over
and over again; delighted at the true expression of his own feelings,
and wondering at his success in a style of composition which he had
then attempted for the first time. Those who feel can write feelingly;
but counterfeit feelings on paper, like counterfeit laughter, or
counterfeit tears, affect nobody, because feelings lie deeper than the
eye or the ear, and like can only affect like; as the devil could not
tempt St. Anthony, although he has tempted so many sham saints before
and since his time; and the angel could find shelter with no man but
Lot in all Sodom, because Lot alone of all its inhabitants partook of
the angel's nature.'