University of Virginia Library

LETTER V.

These bewitching charms of mine
have a tendency to keep my mind in a state of
perturbation. I am so pestered with these admirers;
not that I am so very handsome neither;
but I dont know how it is, I am certainly
very much the taste of the other sex. Followed,
flattered, and caressed; I have cards and
compliments in profusion. But I must try to
be serious; for I have, alas! one serious lover.
As I promised you to be particular in my writing,
I suppose I must proceed methodically.
Yesterday we had a party to dine. Mr. Boyer
was of the number. His attention was immediately
engrossed; and I soon perceived that
every word, every action, and every look was
studied to gain my approbation. As he sat
next me at dinner, his assiduity and politeness
were pleasing; and as we walked together afterwards,
his conversation was improving. Mine
was sentimental and sedate; perfectly adapted
to the taste of my gallant. Nothing, however,
was said particularly expressive of his apparent
wishes. I studiously avoided every kind of discourse

which might lead to this topic. I wish
not for a declaration from any one, especially
from one whom I could not repulse and do
not intend to encourage at present. His conversation,
so similar to what I had often heard
from a similar character, brought a deceased
friend to mind, and rendered me somewhat pensive.
I retired directly after supper. Mr. Boyer
had just taken leave.

Mrs. Richman came into my chamber as
she was passing to her own. Excuse my intrusion,
Eliza, said she; I thought I would just step
in and ask you if you have passed a pleasant day?

Perfectly so, madam; and I have now retired
to protract the enjoyment by recollection.
What, my dear, is your opinion of our favorite
Mr. Boyer? Declaring him your favorite,
madam, is sufficient to render me partial to him.
But to be frank, independent of that, I think
him an agreeable man. Your heart, I presume,
is now free? Yes, and I hope it
will long remain so. Your friends, my dear,
solicitous for your welfare, wish to see you suitably
and agreeably connected. I hope my
friends will never again interpose in my concnerns
of that nature. You, madam, have
have ever known my heart, are sensible, that had
the Almighty spared life, in a certain instance
I must have sacrificed my own happiness, or incurred
their censure. I am young, gay, volatile.
A melancholy event has lately extricated
me from those shackles, which parental authority

had imposed on my mind. Let me then
enjoy that freedom which I so highly prize. Let
me have opportunity, unbiassed by opinion, to
gratify my natural disposition in a participation
of those pleasures which youth and innocence
afford. Of such pleasures, no one, my dear,
would wish to deprive you. But beware, Eliza!—Though
strowed with flowers, when contemplated
by your lively imagination, it is, after
all, a slippery, thorny path. The round of fashionable
dissipation is dangerous. A phantom
is often pursued, which leaves its deluded
votary the real form of wretchedness. She
spoke with an emphasis, and taking up her
candle, wished me a good night. I had not
power to return the compliment. Something
seemingly prophetic in her looks and expressions,
cast a momentary gloom upon my mind!
But I despise those contracted ideas which consine
virtue to a cell. I have no notion of becoming
a recluse. Mrs. Richman has ever
been a beloved friend of mine; yet I always
thought her rather prudish. Adieu,