“May my unhappy story serve as a beacon to warn the American fair of the dangerous tendency and destructive consequences of associating with men of your character, of destroying their time, and risking their reputation by the practice of coquetry and its attendant follies” (Foster, 159)! Things do not end well for Eliza Wharton in Hannah Foster’s 18th century novel, The Coquette. Her persistence in wavering between suitors drives away Mr. Boyer, who gets married soon after. Major Sanford leaves for a time before returning with a bride as well. Eliza sinks into a depression and shuns all company except her close friend Julia. Major Sanford remains optimistic of the situation, however, and insists they remain friends. It soon becomes