― [page break] ―I wish I could see & talk with my friend
My heart wants to commune with yours. Your
image rests on my memory in a guize thoughtful
& almost sad. I want to know your thoughts
& dissipate your sadness: if that be possible.
I want to tell you all my thoughts, & yet I
shall not tell you; because they will not interest
you. O! for the art of engaging your attention, &
giving to my talk a charm which it cannot
have in itself, which it can owe only to that
passion which tends fertility to barrenness &
converts the basest dross into gold.
You are above stairs, dressing to go out this
evening. Would I were going with you or could
come for you. Here I am, alone. These are precious
moments, & one minutes pressure of your hand would
chear my solitary evening & my irksome night
You still linger, & I shall not have a
single minute’s unwitnessed interview. Alas!
You are going away too in a fortnight. This
hangs heavy in my heart—pshaw! Mr. L— is here.