At the Leith races,
the best company comes hither from the remoter provinces; so
that, I suppose, we had all the beauty of the kingdom
concentrated as it were into one focus; which was, indeed, so
vehement, that my heart could hardly resist its power. Between
friends, it has sustained some damage from the bright eyes of the
charming miss R[ento]n, whom I had the honour to dance with at
the ball -- The countess of Melville attracted all eyes, and the
admiration of all present -- She was accompanied by the agreeable
miss Grieve, who made many conquests; nor did my sister Liddy
pass unnoticed in the assembly -- She is become a toast at
Edinburgh, by the name of the Fair Cambrian, and has already been
the occasion of much wine-shed; but the poor girl met with an
accident at the ball, which has given us great disturbance.
A young gentleman, the express image of that rascal Wilson, went
up to ask her to dance a minuet; and his sudden appearance
shocked her so much, that she fainted away -- I call Wilson a
rascal, because, if he had been really a gentleman, with
honourable intentions, he would have, ere now, appeared in his
own character -- I must own, my blood boils with indignation when I
think of that fellow's presumption; and Heaven confound me if I
don't -- But I won't be so womanish as to rail -- Time will, perhaps,
furnish occasion -- Thank God, the cause of Liddy's disorder
remains a secret.
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