The Coquette

Continuing where his last letter left off, Mr. Selby has posted his and Eliza’s letters to Mr. Boyer. Selby rides up to the Richman’s estate to dine with Mr. Richman. He overtakes Eliza and Major Sanford riding along in Sanford’s coach. The two act disconcerted to be seen together.

Back at the house, Eliza tells the Richmans that her meeting with Sanford was purely coincidental: she, Nancy Laurence, and a male relation of the Laurences were riding when they “accidentally” encountered Sanford, who asked to join. Miss Laurence and her cousin head home, and Eliza and Sanford are left alone. Once again, despite Mrs. Richman’s misgivings, Eliza writes off Sanford’s forward behavior and gives him the benefit of the doubt.

Eliza encourages the idea of Boyer striking up an epistolary correspondence with her, but refuses to answer his loving sentiments, reserving that sensitive topic for verbal correspondence. She says that she does not wish to attain happiness by “circumscribing our wishes within the compass of our abilities” (47). She wishes for an easier and freer means of happiness

This letter gives Eliza’s account of the events described in Mr. Selby’s preceding letters. Despite the tone of her last letter, Eliza tells Lucy that she was happy with the contents of Mr. Boyer’s message. In addition, she confesses herself uncomfortable with Major Sanford’s advances. She notes that he seemed particularly anxious when Mr. Boyer came up in conversation. This excited her curiosity and increased her inquisitiveness concerning the reverend in order to test Sanford’s reactions. When Mr. Selby leaves, Sanford tries to get Eliza alone, but she avoids him. 

Major Sanford overtakes Eliza, Miss Laurence, and Miss Laurence’s cousin while they are riding. Sanford’s attention to Eliza “rather nettle[s]” Miss Laurence, who leaves with her cousin (49). Sanford offers Eliza a ticket to an event that evening. Sanford uses the opportunity of having Eliza alone to express that he is jealous of Eliza and Mr. Boyer. He fears the “total loss” of Eliza’s “favor and society, as soon as time and circumstances would allow” (50). His conduct alarms Eliza. 

Eliza claims that she is “under no special obligation” to Mr. Boyer, to which Sanford objects. Sanford fears that Eliza will listen to her friends, rather than her heart, and choose to marry Boyer. Eliza contends that she does not wish to marry anyone, saying, “I have but lately entered society; and wish, for a while, to enjoy my freedom, in the participation of pleasures, suited to my age and sex” (50). Major Sanford warns that marrying Boyer will force her to relinquish these freedoms. 

Eliza warns him that his conduct has “deviated far from the character of a friend and a brother” (50). Sanford is unable to play such a role. He will pursue her affection until she outright banishes him. 

At this point, Mr. Selby arrives and Sanford leaves. 

After dinner, as Eliza gets ready for the evening’s promised entertainment, Mrs. Richman enters. When Eliza tells her she’s going with Major Sanford, Mrs. Richman is exasperated. She believes that Sanford delights in ruining women like Eliza. Eliza suggests that Sanford might be reformed. Mrs. Richman then asks her why she is still leading Mr. Boyer on, to which she replies that she does not know enough about either man to make a choice. Mrs. Richman cautions her to listen to reason if she wishes for a happy future. 

Major Sanford arrives to pick her up. At the event, she is surprised to find Mr. Selby, who joins their party and takes every opportunity to speak with her. On the way home, Sanford redoubles his inquisitiveness toward Eliza and Mr. Boyer’s relationship. She rebukes him.

Eliza continues to be inclined to give Major Sanford the benefit of the doubt. She wishes for the trappings of a fashionable life. She laments that the positive qualities of Boyer and Sanford were not combined in a man. 

She ends her letter asking for Lucy’s advice.

Mr. Selby laments that he believes even the most virtuous women “seem naturally prone to gaiety, to pleasure, and, I had almost said, to dissipation” (53). Selby goes to the assembly in order to observe Eliza’s behavior. He notes that she and Major Sanford were the subject of general speculation. 

Selby is worried on behalf of Mr. Boyer: he believes that Eliza and Sanford are too intimate, given the encouragement she showed to Boyer. He is anxious that his friend may “be made the dupe of a coquette” (54). He is unable to understand Eliza’s behavior, and wants to warn Boyer out of concern.

Despite Eliza’s objections to his behavior, Major Sanford writes “I go on finely with my amour” (55). Sanford delights in his past experience that women “anticipate the honor of reclaiming the libertine, and reclaiming the rake” (55). Eliza has become more irresistible than ever to him, and he laments that this is the first time he has ever failed in a seduction. 

Sanford believes Eliza favors Mr. Boyer over himself; he admits that he plays upon the differences between Eliza and the reverend in order to “separate them entirely” (56). He wishes revenge upon Eliza’s friends and wants to spoil their plans of seeing Eliza and Boyer united. 

He closes the letter confirming that he has indeed purchased Captain Pribble’s estate in Hartford, a mile from Eliza’s mother’s home.