ttachment where his affections are not really
interested: meer passion or meer vanity will support an affair _en
passant_; but, where the least degree of constancy and attention are
expected, the heart must feel, or the lover is subjecting himself to a
slavery as irksome as a marriage without inclination.

Temple will tell you I speak like an oracle; for I have often seen
him led by vanity into this very disagreable situation: I hope I am not
too late to save Fitzgerald from it.

Six in the evening.

All goes well: his proud heart is come down, he has begged her
pardon, and is forgiven; you have no idea how civil both are to me,
for having persuaded them to do what each of them has longed to do from
the first moment: I love to advise, when I am sure the heart of the
person advised is on my side. Both were to blame, but I always love to
save the ladies from any thing mortifying to the dignity of their
characters; a little pride in love becomes them, but not us; and 'tis
always our part to submit on these occasions.

I never saw two happier people than they are at present, as I have a
little preserved decorum on both sides, and taken the whole trouble of
the reconciliation on myself: Bell knows nothing of my having applied
to Fitzgerald, nor he that I did it at Emily's request: my conversation
with him on this subject seemed accidental. I was obliged to leave
them, having business in town; but my lovely Emily thanked me by a
smile which would overpay a thousand such little services.

I am to spend to-morrow at Silleri: how long shall I think this
evening!

Adieu! my tenderest wishes attend you all!

Your affectionate
Ed. Rivers.

LETTER 105.

To Mrs. Temple, Pall Mall.

Silleri, March 27, evening.

Fitzgerald has been here, and has begged my pardon; he declares he
had no thought of displeasing me at the governor's, but from my
behaviour was afraid of importuning me if he addressed me as usual.

I thought who would come to first; for my part, if he had stayed
away for ever, I would not have suffered papa to invite him to Silleri:
it was easy to see his neglect was all pique; it would have been
extraordinary indeed if such a woman as Madame La Brosse could have
rivalled me: I am something younger; and, if either my glass or the men
are to be believed, as handsome: _entre nous_, there is some
little difference; if she was not so very fair, she would be
absolutely ugly; and these very fa