2, o’clock [14th February, 1788]
I just now received your first letter of yesterday, by the careless negligence of the Penny post.—Clarinda, matters are grown very
serious with us: then seriously hear me, and hear me I-leaven—I met
you, my dear Clarinda, by far the first of womankind, at least to me;
I esteemed, I lov’d you at first sight, both of which attachments you
have done me the honor to return; the longer I am acquainted with
you, the more innate, amiableness and worth I discover in you—You
have suffered a loss I confess for my sake; but if the firmest,
steaddiest, warmest Friendship; if every endeavor to be worthy of
your friendship; if a love, strong as the ties of Nature, and holy as
the duties of Religion—if all these can make any thing like a
compensation for the evil I have occasioned you, if they be worth
your-acceptance, or can in the least add to your enjoyments—So
help Sylvander, ye Powers above, in his hour of need, as he freely
gives these all to Clarinda!
I esteem you, I love you, as a friend; I admire you, I love you, as a Woman, beyond any one in all the circle of Creation: I know I shall continue to esteem you, to love you; to pray for you—nay to pray
for myself for your sake.— [one line missing] -
Expect me at eight—and believe me to be ever, My dearest Madam,
yours most entirely—
Sylvander
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