It is
you that have tempted me and I don't mean to be there without
you,--or I suppose I ought to say, without the horse. But of course
you will have understood that. No young lady ever is supposed to
desire the presence of any young man. It would be very improper of
course. But a young man's Jack is quite another thing.
So far her pen had flown with her, but then there came the
necessity for a conclusion which must be worded in some
peculiar way, as his had been so peculiar. How far might she
dare to be affectionate without putting him on his guard? Or in
what way might she be saucy so as best to please him? She tried two
or three, and at last she ended her letter as follows.
I have not had much experience in signing myself to young gentlemen
and am therefore quite in as great a difficulty as you were; but,
though I can't swear that I am everything that you like best, I
will protest that I am pretty nearly what you ought to like,--as
far as young ladies go.
In the meantime I certainly am,
Yours truly,
A. T.
P.S. Mind you write--about Jack; and address to Lady Smijth--
Greenacres Manor--Hastings.
There was a great deal in this letter which was not true. But then
such ladies as Miss Trefoil can never afford to tell the truth.
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