"This source of fear, however, is also a source of hope. If she has
the quickness of intuition to discover that I know the world too well,
she will also discern the truth that I would gladly escape from that
which might eventually destroy my better nature, and that hers could
be the hand which might rescue my manhood. To the degree that she is a
genuine woman there will be fascination in the power of making a man
more manly and worthy of respect. Especially will this be true if I
have the supreme good-fortune not to offend her woman's fancy, and to
excite her sympathy; without awakening contempt.

"But I imagine I am giving her credit for more maturity of thought and
discernment than her years permit. She must be young, and her
experiences would give her no means of understanding my life. She will
look at me with the frank, unsuspecting gaze of a child. She will
exercise toward me that blessed phase of charity which thinketh no
evil because ignorant of evil.

"Moreover, while I am familiar with the sin of the world, and have
contributed my share toward it, I am not in love with it; and I can
well believe that such a love as she might inspire would cause me to
detest it. If for her sake and other good motives, I should resolutely
and voluntarily; turn my back on evil, would I not have the right to
walk at the side of one who, by the goodhap of her life, knows no
evil? At any rate, I am not sufficiently magnanimous to forego the
opportunity should it occur. Therefore, among, the lengthening shadows
of this June day I shall woo with my utmost skill one who may be able
to banish the deeper shadows that are gathering around my life; and if
I fail I shall carry the truth of her spring-time beauty and girlish
innocence back to the city, and their memory will daily warn me to
beware lest I lose the power to love and appreciate that which is her