Eloisa: or, A Series of Original Letters

Description

The passionate letters between the twelfth-century lovers Héloïse and her teacher Abelard — one of history's most famous and heartbreaking romances. After their secret marriage is discovered and Abelard is brutally punished, they spend the rest of their lives apart, bound only by their extraordinary letters.

Excerpt

Letter I. To Eloisa.

I must fly from you, madam, in truth I must. I am to blame for continuing with you so long, or rather, I ought never to have beheld you. But, situated as I am, what can I do? How shall I determine? You have promised me your friendship; consider my perplexity, and give me your advice.

You are sensible that I became one of your family in consequence of an invitation from your mother. Believing me possessed of some little knowledge, she thought that I might be of service in the education of her beloved daughter, in a situation where proper masters were not to be obtained. Proud to be instrumental in adding a few embellishments to one of nature's most beautiful compositions, I dared to engage in the perilous task, unmindful of the danger, or, at least, unapprehensive of the consequence.