"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_t1mNCTik0aKpdz78cTi_lbQ5h15mpGrHc5igKfm8IPYel7SqEVXqk1zYEd4VzPVCVoYo-M7a6Jz7PUtL8zS9ox67v-M5q6ERS8skupqV1BVUFs=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_s4ho2mLsDDq8G8DYzd8_rlyVZpLmLfAC9WyidNWLUAc7xDTnd8zOTUimTAwemjhg3f8O12awp-1n9t3PL6o-3KS0NsrHRS_5T9BvZQ8ZHpUcs=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_u4kvbx_G9BJo4g-4Y2_f3K2lcbdSaN061FPh_LS2OdoT3c7SpMOqLDOStJVgwvCE9okNp0gmWkFclj7YnWa9DvYQTth1DR-hdV3pT6G0m7Iiw=s0-d "[Ball dress, July 1810.] Digital ID: 1111640. New York Public Library")
"Have you seen any pleasant men? Have you had any flirting?"
