The Coquette

Eliza tells Lucy that she has described Major Sanford in unfair terms, but not to worry because she has renounced him entirely. General Richman and his wife succeeded in convincing her to break off relations with Sanford. 

Sanford invites Eliza to spend an hour with him. Sanford is leaving for a while, and, knowing that Mr. Boyer will soon be visiting, he cannot go in peace without seeing Eliza first. During this meeting, Eliza thanks him for his attention during their acquaintance, but says that “all connection of the kind, to which he alluded, must from that time, for ever cease” (60). Major Sanford uses all of his rhetorical prowess to try to convince her otherwise, but to no avail. Dismayed, Sanford makes his exit. 

Eliza slightly laments his gallantry and the promise of his fortune. 

Miss Laurence visits and says that Sanford has bought Mr. Pribble’s seat in Hartford. She still holds a high opinion of him. Eliza believes that Miss Laurence is somewhat  “taken in” by Sanford. 

Mr. Boyer will soon be visiting. Eliza notes that she admires the marital attachment between the Richmans and that she despises “the married man or woman, who harbors an inclination to partake of separate pleasures” (61). 

A servant of Mr. Emmons, “a respectable merchant of this city,” gives Eliza an invitation to attend an assembly that evening with Emmons. Eliza sarcastically describes this as “a new conquest” (62).

Major Sanford has arrived in Hartford society. Twenty-one couples attend his welcome party, but Lucy refuses to go. Because she views Sanford as an “assassin of honor,” she has no qualms about disavowing him (63). She views it as her duty to denounce Sanford for the benefit of women everywhere. 

While out riding, Lucy happens upon Mrs. Wharton, who reveals that Sanford has come to visit her. Lucy believes that this visit proves “he has not yet laid aside his arts” (64).

Major Sanford is truly hurt by the loss of Eliza’s favor. He has “not felt one sensation of genuine pleasure” since being dismissed (64).

He views his new estate favorably, especially given its proximity to his “charmer’s native abode” (64). Sanford still plans to separate Eliza and Mr. Boyer. He believes his way of living to be more attractive to Eliza than Boyer’s and seeks to use this to regain her favor. It was to this end that he visited Mrs. Wharton, as he seeks to “ingratiate” himself to her “particular friends” (64). Mrs. Wharton invites him to call on her whenever the opportunity arises. 

Sanford plans to “court popularity” and to accept “some lucrative office in the civil department” (65). He was forced to mortgage his new property, not possessing sufficient financial means on his own. He plans to maintain the trappings of fortune until he can find a woman of wealth to marry. 

Sanford wishes Deighton would visit him in order to lift his spirits.

Mr. Boyer has been visiting for three days, and Eliza begins to warm to the idea of matrimony. Eliza notes that she has begun to assume a mood of gravity, which seems appropriate for the situation. 

Boyer will escort Eliza back to Hartford in a week to visit her mother and Lucy. General Richman plans a farewell party for Eliza in the meantime. Eliza expects to be engaged and unable to write Lucy of events that occur until she sees her in person.

Eliza arrives back home to her mother, brother, and Lucy Freeman. Lucy and Mrs. Wharton have an emotional reunion. Eliza introduces Mr. Boyer to her friends and family. Mrs. Wharton greets him especially warmly. 

Major Sanford arrives with other neighbors to welcome Eliza. Boyer and Sanford great each other cordially. Eliza is now more partial to Boyer than ever. 

Eliza plans to go help Lucy prepare for her upcoming wedding.

General Richman writes to Eliza to inform her that Mrs. Richman has given birth to a daughter. They hope to be able to attend Lucy Freeman’s wedding.

Eliza writes to congratulate Mrs. Richman on the birth of her daughter. 

Lucy marries her fiancée, Mr. George Sumner. The two make an ideal couple. Eliza worries that the union will result in “separation; perhaps, of an alienation of affection” between she and Lucy (70). 

Eliza and Boyer attend a ball, and Eliza tries to ignore Boyer’s attentions, because she is “too much engaged by the exhilarating scenes around, for attending to a subject which affords no variety” (71). Eliza is pleased to see that Boyer is not averse to the ball, though he does not directly participate. She ends up dancing with Major Sanford, which makes Boyer jealous. 

Lucy Freeman, now Mrs. Lucy Sumner, is to move to Boston in a week. Eliza will accompany her and live with her family for a month or two