Will you retain any regard for me, when I tell you, that on leaving my father I stole a small sum he had saved, in order to try my fortune at cards; I had already lost a great deal of money with the same people, whom I now wished to play with again.
CHARLES.
Yes, certainly; you weep; those tears do you honour; your heart is not bad, but it has been too weak to resist the allurements of vice in bad company.
LANDBERGEN.
Yes, I have acted a base part, and by neglecting my duty, have lost an eligible employment. And yet I never deliberately did wrong. I have always intended to reform for I hated myself when I thought a moment; and shunned my father’s eyes as if I dreaded they would dart death on me. I frequently ran out, to avoid thought, and forget remorse, at the gaming-table. Nay, even when I have only gone to take a walk, and determined not to spend any money, or lose my time, the sight of one of my companions, a single word, banished all my good resolutions, and I followed him wherever he chose to lead me.
CHARLES.
The only means to conquer this weakness, is resolutely to determine to employ yourself, and never to allow your imagination to dwell on scenes which are likely to inflame it. You were formerly fond of reading, I hear, and have made some progress in music; return to those rational employments; visit us when you have finished your daily task; we have got some new music. I have sometimes heard my tutor advise a young man, who, like yourself, had a good heart, to frequent the company of modest women; there are many young ladies at the Hague who will be glad of your company if you act with propriety: and their society will make you feel disgust when you mix with young people who have lost the charm of innocence.
LANDBERGEN.
But can this ever wash out the stain of a false signature?
CHARLES.