Dear R,
Indeed sir you are not mistaken, my mother pre-deceased my father by a number of years. I am sorry truly that your sister, and thusly yourself have also been in this unfortunate position. It is strange to think of oneself as an orphan despite being quite grown. Although I am sure your sister is glad to have had the comfort and company of a brothers affections. I had the misfortune of being the only surviving of my parents children. This has proven to be both a blessing and a curse for I am as financially secure as any lady need be, but I have no close kin.

By your description of your personality and habits, we might indeed be well suited for each others company. For my part, I take greater pleasure in intimate gatherings of friends than I do in large public balls, but attend such gatherings as I might be invited to attend, or where social obligation requires my participation. I consider myself to be socially adept, I believe I can conduct an intelligent conversation and with all expected social graces.

In truth I take the most personal pleasure in quieter habits, and quieter people. That is not to say that I am a recluse, but rather that an evening with friends and intimate company, talking or playing games is preferable to dancing or showy affairs. I consider myself to be a warm and affectionate person but one not suited to the type of showy passions that might make a match of affection at a ball or the like. I hope this does not read as too candid for it is a fine line in correspondence such as this in being honest and open...and being too much.

Warm Regards
Miss R.

---

Lady is a wonder