Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

BECOMING AMERICA
REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE
with a brilliance of appearance and gayety of manner which I had never before
connected with her character, I rose, as did Major Sanford, who oered his hand
and led her to a chair. I forgot to sit down again, but stood transxed by the pangs of
disappointment. Miss Wharton appeared somewhat confused, but, soon resuming
her vivacity, desired me to be seated, inquired after my health, and made some
commonplace remarks on the weather; then, apologizing for leaving me, gave her
hand again to Major Sanford, who had previously risen, and reminded her that the
time and their engagements made it necessary to leave the good company; which,
indeed, they both appeared very willing to do. General Richman and lady took
every method in their power to remove my chagrin and atone for the absence of my
fair one; but ill did they succeed. They told me that Miss Wharton had not the most
distant idea of my visiting there this afternoon, much less of the design of my visit;
that for some months together she had been lately conned by the sickness of Mr.
Haly, whom she attended during the whole of his last illness; which connement
had eventually increased her desire of indulging her natural disposition for gayety.
She had, however, they said, an excellent heart and reecting mind, a great share
of sensibility, and a temper peculiarly formed for the enjoyments of social life.
“But this gentleman, madam, who is her gallant this evening,—is his character
unexceptionable? Will a lady of delicacy associate with an immoral, not to say
proigate, man?” “The rank and fortune of Major Sanford,” said Mrs. Richman,
“procure him respect; his specious manners render him acceptable in public
company; but I must own that he is not the person with whom I wish my cousin to
be connected even for a moment. She never consulted me so little on any subject
as that of his card this morning. Before I had time to object, she dismissed the
servant; and I forbore to destroy her expected happiness by acquainting her with
my disapprobation of her partner. Her omission was not design; it was juvenile
indiscretion. We must, my dear sir,” continued she, “look with a candid eye on such
eccentricities. Faults, not foibles, require the severity of censure.” “Far, madam, be
it from me to censure any conduct which as yet I have observed in Miss Wharton;
she has too great an interest in my heart to admit of that.”
We now went into more general conversation. Tea was served; and I soon
after took leave. General Richman, however, insisted on my dining with him on
Thursday; which I promised. And here I am again over head and ears in the hypo—a
disease, you will say, peculiar to students. I believe it peculiar to lovers; and with
that class I must now rank myself, though I did not know, until this evening, that
I was so much engaged as I nd I really am. I knew, indeed, that I was extremely
pleased with this amiable girl; that I was interested in her favor; that I was happier
in her company than any where else; with innumerable other circumstances, which
would have told me the truth had I examined them. But be that as it may, I hope
and trust that I am, and ever shall be, a reasonable creature, and not suer my
judgment to be misled by the operations of a blind passion.
I shall now lay aside this subject; endeavor to divest even my imagination of
the charmer; and return, until Thursday, to the contemplation of those truths and
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