Once a woman loses a sense of the great value of absolute truthfulness, she has blurred the clear mirror of her soul.
Put yourself upon a diet of facts, my sweet young friend, and cure this propensity, harmless enough now, but dangerous for your future.
Watch your tongue that it does not say five or six when it should say two, or yards when it should say inches.
Even in the smallest matters, practise the habit of being exact.
You will thank me for this advice sometime, even if it seems unreasonable to you to-day, and remember, I would not take the liberty or the trouble to so advise you, did I not love you and feel anxious for your welfare.
To Sybyl Marchmont
Who Has Learned Her Origin
Your despairing letter lies before me. I wish you were here, my dear child, that I might talk from my heart, instead of writing from it. I am sorry that the secret, so long hidden, has been revealed to you, and in such a despicable manner.