The Hidden Children by Robert William Chambers Chapter 21 Page 19

thinking of you, I become afraid, wondering what it is in me that you can accept in exchange for the so perfect love you give me.

“I fear that you may smile on perusing this epistle, deeming it, perhaps, a trifle flowery in expression — but, Euan, I am so torn between the wild passion I entertain for you, and a desire to address you modestly and politely in terms of correspondence, as taught in the best schools, that I know not entirely how to conduct. I would not have you think me cold, or too stiffly laced in the formalities of polite usage, so that you might not divine my heart a-beating under the dress that covers me, be it rifle-frock or silken caushet. I would not have you consider me over-bold, light-minded, or insensible to the deep and sacred tie that already binds me to you evermore — which