Feb. 24, Eleven at night
I am called upon for this letter , and have only time to assure your Lordship of my respect , and of the pleasure I always receive from your commands . I have the honor to be , My Lord , Your Lordship 's , & c. William Fermor . To Miss Fermor . Feb. 24 , Eleven at night . I have indeed , my dear , a pleasure in his conversation , to which words can not do justice : love itself is less tender and lively than my friendship for Rivers ; from the first moment I saw him , I lost all taste for other conversation ; even yours , amiable as you are , borrows its most prevailing charm from the pleasure of hearing you talk of him . When I call my tenderness for him friendship , I do not mean either to paint myself as an enemy to tenderer sentiments , or him as one whom it is easy to see without feeling them : all I mean is , that , as our situations make it impossible for us to think of each other except as friends , I have endeavored -- I hope with success -- to see him in no other light : it is not in his power to marry without fortune , and mine is a trifle : had I worlds , they should be his ; but , I am neither so selfish as to desire , nor so romantic as to expect , that he should descend from the rank of life he has been bred in , and live lost to the world with me . As to the impertinence of two or three women , I hear of it with perfect indifference : my dear Rivers esteems me , he approves my conduct , and all else is below my care : the applause of worlds would give me less pleasure than one smile of approbation from him .