LETTER LXXVI.76.

　　To Miss Montague.

　　You have discovered me, my sweet Emily: I love—not quite so dyingly as you do; but I love; will you forgive me when I add that I am beloved?It is unnecessary to add the name of him I love, as you have so kindly appropriated the whole sex to Colonel Rivers.

　　However, to shew you it is possible you may be mistaken,’tis the little Fitz I love, who, in my eye, is ten times more agreable than even your nonpareil of a Colonel; I know you will think me a shocking wretch for this depravity of taste; but so it is.

　　Upon my word, I am half inclined to be angry with you for not being in love with Fitzgerald; a tall Irishman, with good eyes, has as clear a title to make conquests as other people.

　　Yes, my dear, there is a man on earth, and even in the little town of Quebec, who can please where he appears.Surely, child, if there was but one man on earth who could please, you would not be so unreasonable as to engross him all to yourself.

　　For my part, though I like Fitzgerald extremely, I by no means insist that every other woman shall.

　　Go, you are a foolish girl, and don’t know what you would be at.Rivers is a very handsome agreable fellow; but it is in woman to see him without dying for love, of which behold your little Bell an example.Adieu!be wiser, and believe me

　　Ever yours,

　　A.Fermor.

　　Will you go this morning to Montmorenci on the ice, and dine on the island of Orleans?dare you trust yourself in a covered carriole with the dear man?Don’t answer this, because I am certain you can say nothing on the subject, which will not be very foolish. The History of Emily Montague