To Miss Montague, at Quebec.
Silleri, Thursday morning.
I dare say, my dear, Madame Des Roches has not heard from Rivers;
but suppose she had. If he loves you, of what consequence is it to whom
he writes? I would not for the world any friend of yours should ask her
such a question.
I shall call upon you at six o'clock, and shall expect to find you
determined to go to the governor's this evening, and to dance:
Fitzgerald begs the honor of being your partner.
Believe me, Emily, these kind of unmeaning sacrifices are childish;
your heart is new to love, and you have all the romance of a girl:
Rivers would, on your account, be hurt to hear you had refused to dance
in his absence, though he might be flattered to know you had for a
moment entertained such an idea.
I pardon you for having the romantic fancies of seventeen, provided
you correct them with the good sense of four and twenty.
Adieu! I have engaged myself to Colonel H----, on the presumption
that you are too polite to refuse to dance with Fitzgerald, and too
prudent to refuse to dance at all.
Your affectionate
A. Fermor.