To Miss Montague.
You have discovered me, my sweet Emily: I love--not quite so
dyingly as you do; but I love; will you forgive me when I add that I am
beloved? It is unnecessary to add the name of him I love, as you have
so kindly appropriated the whole sex to Colonel Rivers.
However, to shew you it is possible you may be mistaken, 'tis the
little Fitz I love, who, in my eye, is ten times more agreable than
even your nonpareil of a Colonel; I know you will think me a shocking
wretch for this depravity of taste; but so it is.
Upon my word, I am half inclined to be angry with you for not being
in love with Fitzgerald; a tall Irishman, with good eyes, has as clear
a title to make conquests as other people.
Yes, my dear, _there is a man on earth_, and even in the little
town of Quebec, _who can please where he appears_. Surely, child,
if there was but one man on earth who could please, you would not be so
unreasonable as to engross him all to yourself.
For my part, though I like Fitzgerald extremely, I by no means
insist that every other woman shall.
Go, you are a foolish girl, and don't know what you would be at.
Rivers is a very handsome agreable fellow; but _it is in woman_ to
see him without dying for love, of which behold your little Bell an
example. Adieu! be wiser, and believe me
Ever yours,
A. Fermor.
Will you go this morning to Montmorenci on the ice, and dine on the
island of Orleans? dare you trust yourself in a covered carriole with
the dear man? Don't answer this, because I am certain you can say
nothing on the subject, which will not be very foolish.