The principle which moves this mischief is the error males and females partake concerning softness.--Bid them form a woman of an enlightened understanding, and with the learning of a scholar they never fail to associate the manners of a porter.--Talk of one, who scorns to sink in apprehensions, who would rather protect herself than sacrifice herself, who can stand unpropped in the creation, they expect a giant in step and a monster in form.--If reason and coarseness were thus inseparable, it were better to take both than to abandon both. But it is the reverse. Wherever coarseness exists with talent, it is because the talent is contracted; let it expand, and the dignified grace and softness of active virtue takes its place.--More of this hereafter. I wish rather to reason than declaim; and I have, at present, a heat of feeling that effectually precludes investigation, for the ebulitions of resentment. Doubtless you have already exclaimed against my seeming unconcern for Sibella's situation.--You, who cannot detach yourself a moment from the concerns of your heart, can you forgive such a lapse in another. Of what avail, in our present darkness, to canvass it for an age? I must do something more. To-morrow morning, I set out for Valmont castle; and if at my desire you keep your station, you may depend on the speediest information from, Your sincere friend CAROLINE ASHBURN LETTER XVII FROM LORD FILMAR TO SIR WALTER BOYER A pleasant journey be thine, Walter; but if this sudden trip be meant to evade the consequences of my wrath it was unnecessary. Truly I forgave you on the spot, in consequence of the very ridiculous situation you were in, turning with beseeching looks to me for pardon and stammering contradiction after contradiction to Montgomery, which served only to confirm the suspicions in his mind your foolish audible whisper had occasioned. How guarded have I always been when Montgomery spoke of the Valmonts; and little did I suppose, though I knew your talent, when I urged him to show you the picture you could forget your caution. Your shrug, your leer, your whisper struck Montgomery dumb; and to my explanation he appeared no less deaf. Yesterday he did not keep his appointment with me.--We accidentally met in the evening (where it had been better we had neither been) but he was distant and embarrassed. Scarcely had Griffiths begun the honours of my head this morning, than Montgomery was announced and condescended to amuse himself with Rosetta and Ponto in the drawing-room till the business of my sitting was at an end. 'Oh! by heaven,' he cried, as I entered the room, 'you would at this moment be irresistible!--Health, vigour, proportion, and the face of an Apollo! Luckless be ever the youth who shall presume to rival you'--I'll give you ten guineas for Rosetta, Filmar. Will you sell her?' 'No, I will not, Montgomery; though you seem so well to understand our mutual value.'