r shoulders. If with such a sweet yoke-fellow it
does not, my Lord, and my sister, as well as I, think that you will
deserve a closer tie about your neck.

His Lordship is very much displeased, that you have not written him word
of the day, the hour, the manner, and every thing. But I ask him, how he
can already expect any mark of deference or politeness from you? He must
stay, I tell him, till that sign of reformation, among others, appear
from the influence and example of your lady: but that, if ever you will
be good for any thing, it will be quickly seen. And, O Cousin, what a
vast, vast journey have you to take from the dreary land of libertinism,
through the bright province of reformation, into the serene kingdom of
happiness!--You had need to lose no time. You have many a weary step to
tread, before you can overtake those travellers who set out for it from a
less remote quarter. But you have a charming pole-star to guide you;
that's your advantage. I wish you joy of it: and as I have never yet
expected any highly complaisant thing from you, I make no scruple to
begin first; but it is purely, I must tell you, in respect to my new
cousin; whose accession into our family we most heartily congratulate and
rejoice in.

I have a letter from Lady Betty. She commands either my attendance or my
sister's to my cousin Leeson's. She puts Lord M. in hopes, that she
shall certainly bring down with her our lovely new relation; for she
says, she will not be denied. His Lordship is the willinger to let me be
the person, as I am in a manner wild to see her; my sister having two
years ago had that honour at Sir Robert Biddulph's. So get ready to
accompany us in our return; except your lady had objections strong enough
to satisfy us all. Lady Sarah longs to see her; and says, This accession
to the family will supply to it the loss of her beloved daughter.

I shall soon, I hope, pay my compliments to the dear lady in person: so
have nothing to add, but that I am

Your old mad Playfellow and Cousin,
CHARLOTTE MONTAGUE.

***

The women having read the copies of these two letters, I thought that I
might then threaten and swagger--'But very little heart have I, said I,
to encourage such a visit from Lady Betty and Miss Montague to my spouse.
For after all, I am tired out with her strange ways. She is not what she
was, and (as I told her in your hearing, Ladies) I will leave this plaguy
island, though the place of m