weakness fled, and no attempt, promising the least hope of success, was too hazardous for her to make.
There was one who could not sit quiet by her own fireside when another was suffering so intensely. This was Mrs. Livingston. All her mother's soul was stirred, and she would have shrunk from nothing which promised the least ray of hope, let the risk of danger be what it might. Timidity was not one of her faults.
On the receipt of this letter from Mrs. Carleton, Mr. Livingston naturally hesitated about the wisdom of acting according to her suggestion. That flight was her intention could not be doubted, although in what manner remained to be seen.
The extreme hazard of the attempt presented itself in every form to his better judgment, and discretion prompted him to second no step that might result in the most serious consequences to herself as well as others. His wife was not to be so summarily disposed of. Her temperament was of that ardent, impulsive character which inspires courage and energy into an enterprise that requires perseverance rather than forethought, though not always the one to depend on in an emergency, or to solve the way out of a difficulty. Excess of feeling is not balanced by sufficient caution to avoid perplexities a little discretion might easily foresee. Warm-hearted and generous, justice does not always go before generosity, nor prudence act with sufficient firmness and moderation. Mrs. Livingston, however, united with her bounding impulse sufficient consideration and firmness to guide it. She never acted rashly or blindly.
