Sir Walter Scott

:

I write on the instant, as you direct; and in a tragicomic humor, for I
have a tear in my eye, and a smile on my cheek. Dearest Darsie, sure
never a being but yourself could be so generous--sure never a being but
yourself could be so absurd! I remember when you were a boy you wished
to make your fine new whip a present to old aunt Peggy, merely because
she admired it; and now, with like unreflecting and inappropriate liber-
ality, you would resign your beloved to a smoke-dried young sophister,
who cares not one of the hairs which it is his occupation to split, for all
the daughters of Eve. I in love with your Lilias--your Greenmantle--
your unknown enchantress!--why I scarce saw her for five minutes,
and even then only the tip of her chin was distinctly visible. She was
well made, and the tip of her chin was of a most promising cast for the
rest of the face; but Heaven save you! She came upon business! And for
a lawyer to fall in love with a pretty client on a single consultation,
would be as wise as if he became enamored of a particularly bright sun-
beam which chanced for a moment to gild his bar-wig. I give you my
word I am heart-whole; and moreover, I assure you, that before I suf-

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