er, either by my good angel, or
her own. And indeed I burn more than ever with impatience to be once
more permitted to kneel at the feet of this adorable woman. And had I
met her, or espied her in the chapel, it is my firm belief that I should
not have been able (though it had been in the midst of the sacred office,
and in the presence of thousands) to have forborne prostration to her,
and even clamorous supplication for her forgiveness: a christian act; the
exercise of it therefore worthy of the place.

After service was over, I stept into my chair again, and once more was
carried to Smith's, in hopes I might have surprised her there: but no
such happiness for thy friend. I staid in the back-shop an hour and an
half, by my watch; and again underwent a good deal of preachment from the
women. John was mainly civil to me now; won over a little by my serious
talk, and the honour I professed for the lady. They all three wished
matters could be made up between us: but still insisted that she could
never get over her illness; and that her heart was broken. A cue, I
suppose, they had from you.

While I was there a letter was brought by a particular hand. They seemed
very solicitous to hide it from me; which made me suspect it was for her.
I desired to be suffered to cast an eye upon the seal, and the
superscription; promising to give it back to them unopened.

Looking upon it, I told them I knew the hand and seal. It was from her
sister.* And I hoped it would bring her news that she would be pleased
with.

* See Letter XXVI. of this volume.

They joined most heartily in the same hope: and, giving the letter to
them again, I civilly took leave, and went away.

But I will be there again presently; for I fancy my courteous behaviour
to these women will, on their report of it, procure me the favour I so
earnestly covet. And so I will leave my letter unsealed, to tell thee
the event of my next visit at Smith's.

***

Thy servant just calling, I sent thee this: and will soon follow it by
another. Mean time, I long to hear how poor Belton is: to whom my best
wishes.

LETTER XVI

MR. BELFORD, TO ROBERT LOVELACE, ESQ.
TUESDAY, AUG. 22.

I have been under such concern for the poor man, whose exit I almost
hourly expect, and at the shocking scenes his illness and his agonies
exhibit, that I have been only able to make memoranda of the melancholy
passages, from which to draw up a more perfect accoun