t the bill with Mr. Stratford, who is to have the
money. Now, Madam Stella, what say you? you ride every day; I know that
already, sirrah; and, if you rid every day for a twelvemonth, you
would be still better and better. No, I hope Parvisol will not have
the impudence to make you stay an hour for the money; if he does, I'll
UN-PARVISOL him; pray let me know. O Lord, how hasty we are! Stella
can't stay writing and writing; she must write and go a cock-horse, pray
now. Well, but the horses are not come to the door; the fellow can't
find the bridle; your stirrup is broken; where did you put the whips,
Dingley? Marget, where have you laid Mrs. Johnson's ribbon to tie about
her? reach me my mask: sup up this before you go. So, so, a gallop, a
gallop: sit fast, sirrah, and don't ride hard upon the stones.--Well,
now Stella is gone, tell me, Dingley, is she a good girl? and what news
is that you are to tell me?--No, I believe the box is not lost: Sterne
says it is not.--No, faith, you must go to Wexford without seeing
your Duke of Ormond, unless you stay on purpose; perhaps you may be
so wise.--I tell you this is your sixteenth letter; will you never be
satisfied? No, no, I will walk late no more; I ought less to venture it
than other people, and so I was told: but I will return to lodge in
town next Thursday. When you come from Wexford, I would have you send
a letter of attorney to Mr. Benjamin Tooke, bookseller, in London,
directed to me; and he shall manage your affair. I have your parchment
safely locked up in London.--O, Madam Stella, welcome home; was it
pleasant riding? did your horse stumble? how often did the man light to
settle your stirrup? ride nine miles! faith, you have galloped indeed.
Well, but where is the fine thing you promised me? I have been a good
boy, ask Dingley else. I believe you did not meet the fine-thing-man:
faith, you are a cheat. So you will see Raymond and his wife in town.
Faith, that riding to Laracor gives me short sighs, as well as you. All
the days I have passed here have been dirt to those. I have been gaining
enemies by the scores, and friends by the couples; which is against the
rules of wisdom, because they say one enemy can do more hurt than
ten friends can do good. But I have had my revenge at least, if I
get nothing else. And so let Fate govern.--Now I think your letter is
answered; and mine will be shorter than ordinary, because it must go
to-day. We have had a great deal of scatter