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MEMOIR OF JAMES BOSWELL. 71
she talks lightly of it. I am resolved to have a serious conver-
sation with her to-morrow morning. If she can still remain
indifferent as to what has given me much pain, she is not the
woman I thought her, and from to-morrow morning shall I be
severed from her as a lover. I shall just bring myself, I hope,
to a good easy tranquillity. If she feels as I wish her to do, I
shall adore her while my blood is warm."
After an interval of three days Boswell again communicated
with Mr. Temple :—
"Auchinlcck, Sitnday, 8th JVovemher, 1767.
" I wrote yon from Adamtown, and told you how it was with
the princess and me. Next morning I told her that I had com-
plained to you that she would not make up our last quarrel,
but she did not appear in the least inclined to own herself in
the wrong. I confess that, between pride and love, I was unable
to speak to her but in a very awkward manner. I came home
on Friday ; yesterday I was extremely uneasy. That I might
give her a fair opportunity, I sent her a letter, of which I enclose
you a copy. Could the proud Boswell say more than you will
see there ? In the evening I got her answer ; it was written
with an art and indifference astonishing from so young a lady : —
' I have not yet foimd out that I was to blame. If you have
been uneasy on my account, I am indeed sorry for it ; I should
be sorry to give any person uneasiness, far more one whose
cousin and friend I shaU always be.' . . .
" In short. Temple, she is cunning, and sees my weakness.
But I now see her ; and though I cannot but suffer severely, I
from this moment resolve to think no more of her. I send you
the copy of a note which goes to her to-morrow morning. Wish
me joy, my good friend, of having discovered the snake before
too late. I should have been ruined had I made such a woman
my wife. Luckily for me, a neighbour who came to Auchinleck
last night told me that he had heard three people at Ayr agree
in abusing her as a jilt. What a risk have I run ! However,
as there is still a possibility that all this may be mistake and
malice, I shall behave to her in a very respectful manner, and