University of Virginia Library

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You can't tell how much joy your letter gave me. Expected
blessings are as pleasant frequently as unexpected. I have read &
reread it. You seem to have written with the remark in view, which
you mentioned to me some time since, as being made by a certain
lady "that she wrote nothing in her letters etc etc". So to console
myself, I tumbled over my papers & got out the "warm letter" of la
last summer. You don't know how heartily I blessed you, my dear,
for your confidence and affection, & I believe you have the same
depth of love now-though you dont express the same "desiderium".
The reading of two or three of those former missives quite reconciled
me to the business letter rec.d yesterday. Don't think that
I am so selfish as not to take the deepest interest in the least
thing you write. I assure you every line is dear to me. Write anything
& everything you please. I would prefer always having a transcript
of your feelings at the moment-to any expression made with
a view of pleasing me.

The flowers were so acceptable-more so than a costlier present—their
sweet perfume reminding me of the gentle & blessed
influences of your own happy nature & consistent Christian conduct-their
pure white, symbolizing the virgin purity & grace of the
dear girl who sent them.

Don't work too hard. I don't marry you for your clothes. I
should be happy to take you in the "old red" & nothing else. By
the way (dont tell) Mrs. Broadus unintentionally let Miss
Hill know you went away to work.

I have been citting around among the girls lately at a
great rate-walking on the terrace with one unmarried pretty girl
& also rising at 5¼ to go to Fry's spring in her company,-diked up
now to go to town to visit another. You had better come home, old
lady, & see to your property, if you expect to find it where you
left it. Some men have formed acquaintances courted & been married
in less than 3 weeks. You were invited to Mr. Holcombe's the other
night. Only 4 ladies danced. I understand.

I wish you would find out, if opportunity offers, Mr. Stev
enson's views in regard to the appointment, & also what Mr Rives
grounds for his opinion of Mr. Cabell's pre-commitment are. Any
thing you can find out by noting what is said in your presence, wi
will interest me greatly. Your views of the impropriety of making
court to Mr. Stevenson are remarkably just for so small a girl.

I wrote to my daddy by this mail telling him among other
things that we might be married in July.

Mr. Dabney is convalescent. While very ill one day, he
said to Jim Cochrane "how ugly you are". Jim immediately remarked
to Dr. Cabell that Dabney must be in the woldest delirium.

I am very much in want of your presence, my love. I must
see you this week, if possible. I shall, if well, be with you on
Saturday-Providence permitting.

Owing to a change in your Ma's plan of sending her letter.
I have been obliged to write at race horse speed.

Write to me, my dearest. You have for your well-being in
every respect the ardent prayers of your lover