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

BECOMING AMERICA
REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE
neither you nor I shall have much connection with him. My swain interests himself
very much in your aairs. You will possibly think him impertinent; but I give his
curiosity a softer name. Should I own to you that I place great condence in his
integrity and honor, you would, perhaps, laugh at my weakness; but, my dear, I
have pride enough to keep me above coquetry or prudery, and discretion enough,
I hope, to secure me from the errors of both. With him I am determined to walk
the future round of life. What folly, then, would it be to aect reserve and distance
relative to an aair in which I have so much interest! Not that I am going to betray
your secrets; these I have no right to divulge; but I must be the judge what may,
and what may not, be communicated. I am very much pressed for an early day of
consummation; but I shall not listen to a request of that kind till your return. Such
is my regard for you, that a union of love would be imperfect if friendship attended
not the rites. Adieu.
LUCY FREEMAN.
Letter XVI
TO MISS LUCY FREEMAN.
NEW HAVEN.
We go on charmingly here, almost as soft and smooth as your ladyship. It seems
to me that love must stagnate if it have not a light breeze of discord once in a while
to keep it in motion. We have not tried any yet, however. We had a lovely tour this
forenoon, were out three long hours, and returned to dinner in perfect harmony.
Mr. Boyer informed me that he should set out to-morrow morning for his
future residence, and soon put on the sacred bands. He solicited an epistolary
correspondence, at the same time, as an alleviation of the care which that weighty
charge would bring on his mind. I consented, telling him that he must not expect
any thing more than general subjects from me.
We were somewhat interrupted in our condential intercourse, in the afternoon,
by the arrival of Major Sanford. I cannot say that I was not agreeably relieved. So
sweet a repast, for several hours together, was rather sickening to my taste. My
inamorato looked a little mortied at the cheerful reception which I gave the
intruder, and joined not so placidly in the social conversation as I could have wished.
When Mr. Boyer, after the major took leave, pressed me to give him some
assurance of my constancy, I only reminded him of the terms of our engagement.
Seeing me decided, he was silent on the subject, and soon bade me an aectionate
adieu, not expecting, as he told me, the pleasure of a personal interview again for
two or three months.
Thus far we have proceeded in this sober business. A good beginning, you will
say. Perhaps it is. I do not, however, feel myself greatly interested in the progress
of the negotiation. Time consolidate my aections, and enable me to x them on
some particular object. At present the most lively emotions of my heart are those of
friendship, that friendship which I hope you will soon participate with your faithful
ELIZA WHARTON.
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