when
my divine Rivers appeared on the side of the hill; I flew to meet him,
and left my love to finish the conversation alone.
Twelve o'clock.
I am the happiest of all possible women; Fitzgerald is in the
sullens about your brother; surely there is no pleasure in nature equal
to that of plaguing a fellow who really loves one, especially if he has
as much merit as Fitzgerald, for otherwise he would not be worth
tormenting. He had better not pout with me: I believe I know who will
be tired first.
Eight in the evening.
I have passed a most delicious day: Fitzgerald took it into his wise
head to endeavor to make me jealous of a little pert French-woman, the
wife of a Croix de St. Louis, who I know he despises; I then thought
myself at full liberty to play off all my airs, which I did with
ineffable success, and have sent him home in a humor to hang himself.
Your brother stays the evening, so does a very handsome fellow I have
been flirting with all the day: Fitz was engaged here too, but I told
him it was impossible for him not to attend Madame La Brosse to Quebec;
he looked at me with a spite in his countenance which charmed me to the
soul, and handed the fair lady to his carriole.
I'll teach him to coquet, Lucy; let him take his Madame La Brosse:
indeed, as her husband is at Montreal, I don't see how he can avoid
pursuing his conquest: I am delighted, because I know she is his
aversion.
Emily calls me to cards. Adieu! my dear little Lucy.
Yours,
A. Fermor.
LETTER 96.
To Colonel Rivers, at Quebec.
Pall Mall, January 3.
I have but a moment, my dear Ned, to tell you, that without so much
as asking your leave, and in spite of all your wise admonitions, your
lovely sister has this morning consented to make me the happiest of
mankind: to-morrow gives me all that is excellent and charming in
woman.
You are to look on my writing this letter as the strongest proof I
ever did, or ever can give you of my friendship. I must love you with
no common affection to remember at this moment that there is such a man
in being: perhaps you owe this recollection only to your being brother
to the loveliest woman nature ever formed; whose charms in a month
have done more towards my conversion than seven years of your preaching
would have done. I am going back to Clarges Street. Adieu!
Yours, &c.
John Temple.
LETTER 97.
To Colonel Rivers, at Quebec.
Clarges Stre
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