Letter from Robert Burns to Agnes McLehose, 16 January 1788

Clarinda,
Your letter found me writing to you. -
I read yours two or three times by way of welcome: by
and by, I shall do it more justice. - Friday evening,
about eight, expect me. If I can't walk all the way, I'll take
a chair to Nicolson's square, or so; and walk the rest. -

You talk of vanity; in mercy remember me, when
you praise my letter writing talents so extravagantly. -
Inured to flattery as have been for some time past, I
am not proof against the applause of one whom
I love dearer, and whose judgement I esteem more
than I do all the world beside. - I forget the chairman
waits. - God bless you! Remember
Sylvander
Weden: noon}