(seq. 61)

Miss Lydia Nightingale
Providence
MMF letter #12 New York August 27th 93
I can't sufficiently express the pleasure your letter of
August 18^th, has given me, my dear Aunt you know how much I
love you, & ev'ry such proof of you affection, if possible
adds to mine. I was afraid I had written too candidly upon a
subject extreemely delicate, but to whom were those sentiments
express'd to one who is my friend, who is as dear to me as a
mother. I am satisfied. I am glad you think as I do of M^r R--g
I love to hear you call him good & amiable because I think him so.
And do you think it possible, that a Great World, can alter my
heart No, I am as nature made me. I love retirement, the
society of a friend will make me doubly happy -- I am also glad
to spend the winter in Charleston I can than prove my attach-
ment not rashly form'd. M^r R. has waited a long time, and is
it possible? fix'd on me, his affections. I am sensible of his
good judgement, but whether it is discoverable in this particular,
I have too humble an opinion of myself to determine. So M^r G.
thinks as you do of my visit to C--- tell him it is well, &
I approve of his generous sentiments. I wonder what the B--
family think of my refusal I imagine Aunt Betsy knows nothing
of it. to day I was at M^rs S. Ward's M^rs W- said she believed
all aunt B's nephews were fond of me, yes, she repleid, but