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Henry 's astonishing generosity and nobleness of conduct , in never alluding in the slightest way to what had passed , was of the greatest assistance to her ; and sooner than she could have supposed it possible in the beginning of her distress , her spirits became absolutely comfortable , and capable , as heretofore , of continual improvement by anything he said . And I shall endeavour , by plain instances out of the Scripture ( which is my way in these familiar exercises ) , to manifest that there is a preparation necessary for the celebration or observance of all solemn ordinances ; and I shall show you what that preparation is , and wherein it doth consist ; and then I shall deduce from thence what is that particular preparation which is incumbent upon us , in reference unto this special ordinance , that is superadded unto the general preparation that is required unto all ordinances . Catherine could have raved at the hand which had swept away what must have been beyond the value of all the rest , for the purposes of mere domestic economy ; and would willingly have been spared the mortification of a walk through scenes so fallen , had the general allowed it ; but if he had a vanity , it was in the arrangement of his offices ; and as he was convinced that , to a mind like Miss Morland 's , a view of the accommodations and comforts , by which the labours of her inferiors were softened , must always be gratifying , he should make no apology for leading her on . Eleanor was ready to oblige her ; and Catherine reminding her as they went of another promise , their first visit in consequence was to the portrait in her bed-chamber .