{"id":"01KG8AM4MGG7XXVS147PRGQPMP","cid":"bafkreidrpmhosrodusqe4vx5hbhrvckd6fbgcugafpgzuimmnqpkuj3jfa","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":12593,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:26.988Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 5","source_file":"01KG89J1FFTGRE9J93Z3K29NGY","start_line":12521,"text":"Here, my dear M----, closes this catalogue of the Graces, this chapter\r\nof Beauties, and I should implore your pardon for trespassing so long on\r\nyour attention. If you, yourself, in whose breast may possibly be\r\nextinguished the amatory flame, should not feel an interest in these\r\nthree ‘counterfeit presentments,’ do not fail to show them to ⸻, and\r\nsolicit her opinion as to their respective merits.\r\n\r\nTender my best acknowledgments to the Major for his prompt attention to\r\nmy request, and, for yourself, accept the assurance of my undiminished\r\nregard; and hoping that the smiles of heaven may continue to illuminate\r\nyour way,--I remain, ever yours,\r\n                                                                L. A. V.\r\n\r\nWritten in long hand (by Melville) across the inner margin:--\r\n\r\n‘When I woke up this morning, what the devil should I see but your cane\r\nalong in bed with me. I shall keep it for you when you come up here\r\nagain.’\r\n\r\n\r\n                     FRAGMENTS FROM A WRITING-DESK\r\n\r\n\r\n                                 No. 2\r\n\r\n                                                     LANSINGBURGH, N.Y.,\r\n                                               _Saturday, May 18, 1839_.\r\n\r\n‘Confusion seize the Greek!’ exclaimed I, as wrathfully rising from my\r\nchair, I flung my ancient lexicon across the room, and seizing my hat\r\nand cane, and throwing on my cloak, I sallied out into the clear air of\r\nheaven. The bracing coolness of an April evening calmed my aching\r\ntemples, and I slowly wended my way to the river-side. I had promenaded\r\nthe bank for about half an hour, when flinging myself upon the grassy\r\nturf, I was soon lost in revery, and up to the lips in sentiment.\r\n\r\nI had not lain more than five minutes, when a figure, effectually\r\nconcealed in the ample folds of a cloak, glided past me, and hastily\r\ndropping something at my feet, disappeared behind the angle of an\r\nadjoining house, ere I could recover from my astonishment at so singular\r\nan occurrence.\r\n\r\n‘Cerbes!’ cried I, springing up, ‘here is a spice of the marvellous!’\r\nand stooping down, I picked up an elegant little rose-coloured,\r\nlavender-scented _billet-doux_, and hurriedly breaking the seal (a\r\nheart, transfixed with an arrow) I read by the light of the moon the\r\nfollowing:--\r\n\r\n\r\n  ‘GENTLE SIR,--If my fancy has painted you in genuine colours, you\r\n  will on the receipt of this, incontinently follow the bearer where\r\n  she will lead you.\r\n\r\n                                                        ‘INAMORATA.’\r\n\r\n\r\n‘The deuce I will!’ exclaimed I. ‘But soft!’ And I reperused this\r\nsingular document, turned over the billet in my fingers, and examined\r\nthe handwriting, which was femininely delicate, and I could have sworn\r\nwas a woman’s. Is it possible, thought I, that the days of romance are\r\nrevived? No, ‘The days of chivalry are over!’ says Burke.\r\n\r\nAs I made this reflection, I looked up, and beheld the same figure which\r\nhad handed me this questionable missive, beckoning me forward. I started\r\ntoward her; but, as I approached, she receded from me, and fled swiftly\r\nalong the margin of the river at a pace, which, encumbered as I was with\r\nmy heavy cloak and boots, I was unable to follow; and which filled me\r\nwith sundry misgivings as to the nature of the being who could travel\r\nwith such amazing celerity. At last, perfectly breathless, I fell into a\r\nwalk; which my mysterious fugitive perceiving, she likewise lessened her\r\npace, so as to keep herself still in sight, although at too great a\r\ndistance to permit me to address her.\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 5"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJWC5G0HBHACB7H31MXQ6","peer_type":"segment","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1FFTGRE9J93Z3K29NGY","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AM4MGQ1B92PTKHER70FHW","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"prev"},{"peer":"01KG8AM4MGVDK556ZFRH9C38Q5","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"next"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:27.280Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:46.790Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}