. In a word, his whole appearance was
so little calculated for inspiring love, that I had, on the strength of
seeing him once before at Oxford, set him down as the last man on earth
whom I would choose to wed; and I will venture to affirm, that he was in
every particular the reverse of my late husband.

"As my father was not at home, he stayed but one evening, and left his
errand with my mother, to whom he was as disagreeable as to myself; so
that his proposal was absolutely rejected, and I heard no more of him
during the space of three whole months, at the expiration of which I
went to town, where this mortifying figure presented itself again, and
renewed his suit, offering such advantageous terms of settlement, that
my father began to relish the match, and warmly recommended it to my
consideration.

"Lord W--'s relations advised me to embrace the opportunity of making
myself independent. All my acquaintance plied me with arguments to the
same purpose. I was uneasy at home, and indifferent to all mankind. I
weighed the motives with the objections, and with reluctance yielded to
the importunity of my friends. In consequence of this determination,
the little gentleman was permitted to visit me; and the manner of his
address did not alter the opinion I had conceived of his character and
understanding. I was even shocked at the prospect of marrying a man whom
I could not love; and, in order to disburden my own conscience, took
an opportunity of telling him, one evening, as we sat opposite to
each other, that it was not in my power to command my affection, and
therefore he could not expect the possession of my heart, Lord W--'s
indulgence having spoiled me for a wife; nevertheless, I would endeavour
to contract a friendship for him, which would entirely depend upon his
own behaviour.

"To this declaration he replied, to my great surprise, that he did
not desire me to love him; my friendship was sufficient; and next
day repeated this strange instance of moderation in a letter, which I
communicated to my sister, who laughed heartily at the contents, and
persuaded me, that since I could love no man, he was the properest
person to be my husband.

"Accordingly, the wedding clothes and equipage being prepared, the
day--the fatal day--was fixed; on the morning of which I went to the
house of my brother-in-law, duke H--, who loved me tenderly, and took my
leave of the family, a family which I shall always remember with love,
h