uct, can draw the line
between prudery and coquetry. It would be no great departure from
truth to say that it rarely happens otherwise than that a
thorough-paced coquette dies in celibacy, as a punishment for her
attempts to mislead others, by encouraging looks, words, or
actions, given for no other purpose than to draw men on to make
overtures, that they may be rejected.

"This day, according to our information, gives a husband to your
elder sister, and consummates, it is to be presumed, her fondest
desires. The dawn with us is bright, and propitious, I hope, of her
future happiness, for a full measure of which she and Mr. Law have
my earnest wishes. Compliments and congratulations on this
occasion, and best regards are presented to your mamma, Doctor
Stuart, and family; and every blessing--among which a good husband,
when you want and deserve one--is bestowed on you by yours,
affectionately."[123]

Young Lewis found a rival in the person of a son of the eminent Charles
Carroll, of Carrollton, whose suit was decidedly encouraged by Mrs.
Washington. This young man had just returned from Europe, where he had
been educated; and he displayed in his deportment and conversation all
the social graces derived from foreign travel. Nelly was also pleased
with the young man; and her brother, then at school in Annapolis, could
not conceal his satisfaction. So he ventured to say, in a letter to
Washington: "I find that young Mr. C---- has been at Mount Vernon, and,
report says, to address my sister. It may be well to subjoin an opinion,
which I believe is general in this place, viz., that he is a young man
of the strictest probity and morals, discreet without closeness,
temperate without excess, and modest without vanity; possessed of those
amiable qualities and friendship which are so commendable, and with few
of the vices of the age. In short, I think it a most desirable match,
and wish that it may take place with all my heart."

Washington relished neither the interference of the suitor with his
nephew's "current of true love," nor the volunteer opinion of Nelly's
brother; and he abruptly closed the correspondence on the subject with
young Custis, by saying: "Young Mr. C---- came here about a fortnight
ago, to dinner, and left us next morning after breakfast. If his object
was such as you say has been reported, it was not declared here; and
therefore t