In a letter from Bath to her sister, Cassandra, one senses her frustration at her sheltered existence, Tuesday, 12 May 1801. Another stupid party . . . with six people to look on, and talk nonsense to each other.

I wish, as well as everybody else, to be perfectly happy; but, like everybody else, it must be in my own way.

Grant us peace, Almighty Father, so to pray as to deserve to be heard.

We are all fools in love.

Marriage is indeed a maneuvering business.

And from the whole she deduced this useful lesson, that to go previously engaged to a ball, does not necessarily increase either the dignity or enjoyment of a young lady.

I am all astonishment.