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Let us try to conform to them and follow them, and let us be

persuaded that the less we let our feeble human minds roam, the

better we shall please God, who rejects all knowledge that does

not come from Him; and the less we seek to fathom what He has

been pleased to conceal from us, the sooner will He vouchsafe its

revelation to us through His divine Spirit.

My father has not spoken to me of a suitor, but has only told me

that he has received a letter and is expecting a visit from

Prince Vasili. In regard to this project of marriage for me, I

will tell you, dear sweet friend, that I look on marriage as a

divine institution to which we must conform. However painful it

may be to me, should the Almighty lay the duties of wife and

mother upon me I shall try to perform them as faithfully as I

can, without disquieting myself by examining my feelings toward

him whom He may give me for husband.