The Coquette

Mr. Selby responds to Boyer after having delivered his friend’s message to Eliza. Though he deems Eliza worthy of Boyer’s favor and affection, he notes that her attitude “favors a little of coquetry” (43).  

While Eliza retires to another room to write a reply to Boyer (which Selby reads as a positive sign), Selby notes that Mr. Laurence, his wife, Nancy, and Major Sanford are present. He judges Sanford “a man of show and fashion” (43). Eliza asks Mr. Selby if he can deliver a correspondence to a friend in Hampshire, to which he assents. He notes that Major Sanford eavesdrops on this conversation, and that he appeared “really interested in her movements” (44). The group ends the evening engaged in a discussion of politics.

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.