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refused to see him in his last moments, because the sight of him would have rent my heart; and I should have appeared too cruel had I refused him what he asked, and must have been wretched had I granted it him.—These, madam, are the motives of my conduct: I dare flatter myself no one will blame me.”
“To condemn you would be unjust. It is only to our God, our parents, and our benefactors, we are bound to sacrifice ourselves. On this last point, I am sensible, it was not from you gratitude was due; but his situation and his passion overcame him, and your last refusal hastened his latter moments. He counted every minute till
