A person who can write a long letter with ease, cannot write ill.

A report of a most alarming nature reached me two days ago.

If you will thank me '' he replied let it be for yourself alone. That the wish of giving happiness to you might add force to the other inducements which led me on I shall not attempt to deny. But your family owe me nothing. Much as I respect them I believe I thought only of you.

Now they were as strangers; nay worse than strangers, for they could never become acquainted.

I do assure you, Sir, that I have no pretension whatever of that kind of elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable man. I would rather be paid the compliment of being believed sincere. I thank you again and again for the honour you have done me in your proposals, but to accept them is absolutely impossible. My feelings in every respect forbid it. Can I speak plainer? Do not consider me now as an elegant female intending to plague you, but as a rational creature speaking the truth from her heart.

How little of permanent happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue.

There is something so amiable in the prejudices of a young mind, that one is sorry to see them give way to the reception of more general opinions.