"I would not wish to be hasty in censuring anyone; but I always speak what I think."
Elizabeth
"I do assure you, Sir, that I have no pretension whatever to that kind of elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable man. I would rather be paid the compliment of being believed sincere. I thank you again and again for the honour you have done me in your proposals, but to accept them is absolutely impossible. My feelings in every respect forbid it. Can I speak plainer? Do not consider me now as an elegant female, intending to plague you, but as a rational creature, speaking the truth from her heart."
Mary
![[Walking dress, October 1811.] Digital ID: 1111658. New York Public Library](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_s7KmyzRQfIoPIuKoOoGFYfimvX8ChV7eP2ggXSNRZkrtPLqNSUSAgu6h4oJ6_wiNuAXyFwmdFkmYLhykpEFHAf-tJf8l08_cqYUM_VFSOJtgDj=s0-d "[Walking dress, October 1811.] Digital ID: 1111658. New York Public Library")
"Far be it from me, my dear sister, to depreciate such pleasures! They would doubtless be congenial with the generality of female minds. But I confess they would have no charms for me - I should infinitely prefer a book."
Kitty
![[March 1810.] Digital ID: 1111635. New York Public Library](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_shNyxxawNSuc5YdF61drgr9jsfma5izXF5CxttJbzDXOHAW843tWluITTMCpOnLxFRGsaKsSLDiCn6p0FKfOIzoCRZRr23nZC8OMfJ0i6ti54=s0-d "[March 1810.] Digital ID: 1111635. New York Public Library")
"I do not cough for my own amusement."
Lydia
![[Ball dress, July 1810.] Digital ID: 1111640. New York Public Library](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_v73oPqpfN6bwJ2gTiVNrFo1O6cJ9Py4qyejaD_7aa4580D0dAVpimBl19I4_3ulCLU1ClbBB3ptRDjrlSQZuoJNQ7ZNtvawwGXmkbe9g0SakQ=s0-d "[Ball dress, July 1810.] Digital ID: 1111640. New York Public Library")
"Have you seen any pleasant men? Have you had any flirting?"
