LETTER XXVIII.
TO MR. CHARLES DEIGHTON.
New-Haven.
I go on finely with my amour. I
have every encouragement that I could wish.
Indeed my fair one does not verbally declare in
my favor; but then, according to the vulgar
proverb, that actions speak louder than words, I
have no reason to complain; since she evidently
approves my gallantry, is pleased with my
company, and listens to my flattery. Her sagatious
friends have undoubtedly given her a
detail of my vices. If, therefore, my past conduct
has been repugnant to her notions of propriety,
why does she not act consistently, and refuse
at once to associate with a man whose character
she cannot esteem? But no; that, Charles, is
no part of the female plan: our entrapping a few
of their sex, only discovers the gaiety of our dispositions,
the insinuating graces of our manners,
and the irresistible charms of our persons and
address. These qualifications are very alluring
to the sprightly fancy of the fair. They
think to enjoy the pleasures which result from
this source; while their vanity and ignorance
prompt each one to imagine herself superior to
delusion; and to anticipate the honor of reclaiming
the libertine, and reforming the rake!
I dont know, however, but this girl will
really have that merit with me; for I am
so much attached to her, that I begin to suspect
I should sooner become a convert to sobriety
than lose her. I cannot find that I have
made much impression on her heart as yet.
Want of success in this point mortifies me extremely,
as it is the first time I ever failed. Besides,
I am apprehensive that she is prepossessed
in favor of the other swain, the clerical lover,
whom I have mentioned to you before. The
chord, therefore, upon which I play the most,
is the dissimilarity of their dispositions and
pleasures. I endeavor to detach her from him,
and disaffect her towards him; knowing, that
if I can separate them entirely, I shall be
more likely to succeed in my plan. Not that I
have any thoughts of marrying her myself;
that will not do at present. But I love her too
well to see her connected with another for life.
I must own myself a little revengeful too in this
affair. I wish to punish her friends, as she calls
them, for their malice towards me; for their
cold and negligent treatment of me whenever
I go to the house. I know that to frustrate their
designs of a connection between Mr. Boyer and
Eliza would be a grievous disappointment. I
have not yet determined to seduce her, though,
with all her pretensions to virtue, I do not think
it impossible. And if I should, she can blame
none but herself, since she knows my character,
and has no reason to wonder if I act consistently
with it. If she will play with a lion, let her beware
of his paw, I say. At present, I wish innocently
to enjoy her society; it is a luxury which
I never tasted before. She is the very soul
of pleasure. The gayest circle is irradiated by
her presence, and the highest entertainment receives
its greatest charm from her smiles. Besides,
I have purchased the seat of Capt. Pribble,
about a mile from her mother's; and can
I think of suffering her to leave the neighborhood,
just as I enter it? I shall exert every
nerve to prevent that, and hope to meet with
the usual success of
