I was displeased with his freedom, and reminded him that I had the disposal of my own time as yet, and that, while I escaped the censure of my own heart, I hoped that no one else would presume to arraign it.  He apologized, and gave up his argument.

I was much surprised, the first time I went to the play, to see Major Sanford in the very next box.  He immediately joined our party; and wherever I have been since, I have been almost sure to meet him.

Mr. Boyer has taken his departure; and I do not expect to see him again till I return home.

O mamma, I am embarrassed about this man.  His worth I acknowledge; nay, I esteem him very highly.  But can there be happiness with such a disparity of dispositions?

I shall soon return to the bosom of domestic tranquillity, to the arms of maternal tenderness, where I can deliberate and advise at leisure about this important matter.  Till when, I am, &c.,

ELIZA WHARTON.

LETTER XXXIX.

TO MR. T. SELBY.

HAMPSHIRE.

Dear sir:  I believe that I owe you an apology for my long silence.  But my time has been much engrossed of late, and my mind much more so.  When it will be otherwise I cannot foresee.  I fear, my friend, that there is some foundation for your suspicions respecting my beloved Eliza.  What pity it is that so fair a form, so accomplished a mind, should be tarnished in the smallest degree by the follies of coquetry!  If this be the fact, which I am loath to believe, all my regard for her shall never make me the dupe of it.

When I arrived at her residence at New Haven, where I told you in my last I was soon to go, she gave me a most cordial reception.  Her whole behavior to me was correspondent with those sentiments of esteem and affection which she modestly avowed.  She permitted me to accompany her to Hartford, to restore her to her mother, and to declare my wish to receive her again from her hand.  Thus far all was harmony and happiness.  As all my wishes were consistent with virtue and honor, she readily indulged them.  She took apparent pleasure in my company, encouraged my hopes of a future union, and listened to the tender accents of love.

But the scenes of gayety which invited her attention reversed her conduct.  The delightful hours of mutual confidence, of sentimental converse, and of the interchange of refined affection were no more.  Instead of these, parties were formed unpleasing to my taste, and every opportunity was embraced to join in diversions in which she knew I could not consistently take a share.  I, however, acquiesced in her pleasure, though I sometimes thought myself neglected, and even hinted it to her mother.  The old lady apologized for her daughter, by alleging that she had been absent for a long time; that her acquaintances were rejoiced at her return, and welcomed her by striving to promote her amusement.