Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/589

 SWIFT. 585 body, appeared to a female philosopher indissoluble, and she had conceived, that they should, in their enjoyments, remain united. She communicated these sentiments to her preceptor, but he seemed not to comprehend her meaning. He talked of friendship, of the delights of rea son, of gratitude, respect, and esteem. He almost preached upon virtue, and muttered some indistinct phrases con cerning chastity. In short, he put aside her proposal of marriage without absolute refusal. Such was their situa tion on Swift's return to Ireland; whither he was soon followed by the young ladies, who, on their mother's death, found themselves considerably embarrassed by the prodi gality in which she had indulged. Their affairs, however, were soon arranged; and, on the death of the younger sister, shortly after, the remains of their fortune centered in Vanessa. In his poem of “Cadenus and Vanessa,” Swift had published to the world what may be termed the story of their loves; but with base and unmanly cruelty, had affected to veil i t s termination i n a mystery, which was fatal t o the reputation o f his enamorata. Deserted b y the world, and piqued a t the coolness o f Swift, who, how ever, visited her frequently, but answered her proposals o f marriage merely b y turns o f wit, she a t length became un able t o sustain any longer her load o f misery. She wrote t o him a very tender letter, insisting upon a serious answer; a n acceptance, o r a refusal. His reply was delivered b y his own hand. Throwing down the letter o n her table with great passion, h e hastened back t o his house. From his appearance she guessed a t the contents o f his letter; she found herself entirely discarded from his friendship and conversation; her offers were treated with insolence and disdain; she met with reproaches instead o f love, with tyranny instead o f affection. She did not many days survive i t she testified her disgust and disappointment b y cancelling the will she had made i n his favour, and expired i n a l l the agonies o f despair. I t has been conjectured, that i n this letter, Swift revealed