Page:Kickerbocker Feb 1833 vol 1 no 2.djvu/41

"Dear Toler,
"Enclosed is a check for $—;—and no matrimony, either.—'Richard 's himself again.'

"Winthrop."

"My Dear Miss,—
"It is is with great pain that I sit down to make the following communication; but a sense of duty compels me to the task.

"I have had a long and interesting interview with your very worthy and excellent father. He informs me that he can never consent to what we had both so earnestly wished; I had not supposed his objections to be so strong. He thinks, that my character and habits are such, that he could not trust to me the happiness of his daughter. Perhaps he is right. I know, at any rate, that my dear Miss ———, could never be happy if, in so serious a matter, she disobeyed the commands of her parents. I trust she will do justice to the delicacy which induces me to release her from a promise too inconsiderately asked, too rashly given. May some better man———but, perhaps, the eagerness of my friendship is leading me to the verge of impertinence.

"I enclose a lock of your hair;———and remain, with great respect,

Your sincere friend
And humble servant,
"Egerton Winthrop.

"Wednesday Morning." **** It will cost me—my life!" said Fanny, and she burst into tears and left the room.

"I hope not," said her father;—"It cost me—humph!"

What could Fanny do? She kept her bed, and cried for three days, and for some weeks longer she was sullen, and out of spirits.———

"Fanny!" said her papa one morning, with a peculiar smile, "Mr. ———, is coming to see you this evening.

"I won't see him," said she pouting.

Alas! alas! we cannot always be wretched! Time, time, obliterates all feelings—all recollections. She did see him—an active young man in the Jobbing business. * * * *

Fanny detests handsome young men now; and abhors romance and novel-reading. She is a good wife; and a very notable woman.