My language, habits, and religion were mentioned as obstacles
to close and extensive views; but these difficulties successively
and slowly vanished. Converse with books, and natives of Spain, a
steadfast purpose and unwearied diligence would efface all
differences between me and a Castilian with respect to speech.
Personal habits, were changeable, by the same means. The bars to
unbounded intercourse, rising from the religion of Spain being
irreconcilably opposite to mine, cost us no little trouble to
surmount, and here the skill of Ludloe was eminently displayed.

I had been accustomed to regard as unquestionable, the fallacy
of the Romish faith. This persuasion was habitual and the child of
prejudice, and was easily shaken by the artifices of this logician.
I was first led to bestow a kind of assent on the doctrines of the
Roman church; but my convictions were easily subdued by a new
species of argumentation, and, in a short time, I reverted to my
ancient disbelief, so that, if an exterior conformity to the rights
of Spain were requisite to the attainment of my purpose, that
conformity must be dissembled.

My moral principles had hitherto been vague and unsettled. My
circumstances had led me to the frequent practice of insincerity;
but my transgressions as they were slight and transient, did not
much excite my previous reflections, or subsequent remorse. My
deviations, however, though rendered easy by habit, were by no
means sanctioned by my principles. Now an imposture, more profound
and deliberate, was projected; and I could not hope to perform well
my part, unless steadfastly and thoroughly persuaded of its
rectitude.