[Catherine Talbot to Elizabeth Carter, 17 April 1760:] 'As you was, upon the whole, I believe, very determined to go into the country [following visit to Talbot 'on Tuesday'], I denied myself the telling you how very sorry and grieved I was to part with you. Perhaps I did wrong [...] I have learnt from the heroines of Parthenissa that these sorts of offences are never to be forgiven. Oh dear, what a precious treasure of false thoughts, and refinements, and hyperbole have you brought me in that volume. It does me a vast deal of good, for its absurdities make me laugh more than any book of intended humour could do.'