She was once in a Mind to have burn'd the Letter, or to have stay'd for
an Opportunity to send it again. But she was a Woman, and her Curiosity
opposed it self to all thoughts of that Nature: at length with a firm
Resolution, she opened it, and found Word for Word, what is underwritten.



The Letter.


MADAM,

If your fair Eyes, upon the breaking up of this, meet with somewhat
too quick a Surprize, make thence, I beseech you, some reflection upon
the Condition I must needs have been in, at the suddain Appearance of
that Sun of Beauty, which at once shone so full upon my soul. I could
not immediately disengage my self from that Maze of Charms, to let you
know how unworthy a Captive your Eyes had made through mistake. Sure,
Madam, you cannot but remember my Disorder, of which your Innocent
(Innocent, though perhaps to me Fatal) Error made a Charitable (but
wide) Construction. Your Tongue pursued the Victory of your Eyes, and
you did not give me time to rally my poor Disordered Senses, so as to
make a tolerable Retreat. Pardon, Madam, the Continuation of the
Deceipt, and call it not so, that I appear'd to be other than my self;
for Heaven knows I was not then my self, nor am I now my own. You
told me something that concern'd me nearly, as to a Marriage my Father
design'd me, and much more nearly in being told by you. For Heaven's
sake, disclose not to any Body your Knowledge of me, that I may not be
forced to an immediate Act of Disobedience; for if my future Services