From a Gentleman to a Lady with whom he is in love.
Braintree, Essex.
Dear Miss ——,
As no opportunity has presented itself of speaking to you lately alone, I venture to address you by letter, and I assure you my happiness greatly depends on the reply with which you may deign to favour me.
I love you, dear Miss ——, very sincerely, and if you can return my affection and become my wife, I shall consider myself the most fortunate of men.
The income which I can place at your disposal is not large, but in my family you will find the most tender and affectionate connexions. My mother (to whom alone I have confided my secret) is rejoiced at the hope of having you for a daughter. Do not, best beloved Miss Johnstone, disappoint her and myself! Should you not reject me—if I am ever so happy as to call you my wife—the tenderest and most affectionate devotion shall be yours, and the principal and only study of my future days shall be to render your life as happy as you deservedly merit it should be. Your reply is most impatiently awaited by one whose life is wrapped up in yours. My aunt has just called, and it appears that some years since she was very intimately acquainted with your father, to whom I have written, enclosing this note for you, and stating to him the purport of its contents.
I remain,
Dear Miss Johnstone,
Yours very truly,
Harry Clinton.