d yet, TEDIOUS as
it is, it is but a LITTLE ABSENCE. Well said, my good, accurate, and
consistent brother!--But wise men in love are always the greatest
simpletons!--But now cones the reason why this LITTLE ABSENCE, which, at
the same time, is SO GREAT an ABSENCE, is so tedious:'--FOR I am--'Ay,
now for it!'--with the UTMOST sincerity, my dearest love--'Out upon
DEAREST love! I shall never love the word again! Pray bid your uncle
never call me dearest love, Jackey!'--For ever yours!--'But, brother,
thou liest!--Thou knowest thou dost.--And so, my good Lady Andrews, or
what shall I call you? Your dearest love will be for ever yours! And
hast thou the vanity to believe this?--But stay, here is a postscript.
The poor man knew not when to have done to his dearest love.--He's sadly
in for't, truly! Why, his dearest love, you are mighty happy in such a
lover!'--If you could go to dine with them--'Cry you mercy, my dearest
love, now comes the pre-engagement!'--it will be a freedom that will be
very pleasing to them, and the more, as they don't expect it.

Well, so much for this kind letter! But you see you cannot honour this
admiring company with this little expected, and, but in complaisance
to his folly, I dare say, little desired freedom. And I cannot forbear
admiring you so much myself, my dearest love, that I will not spare
you at all, this whole evening: For 'tis a little hard, if thy master's
sister may not be blest a little bit with thy charming company.

So I found I had shewn her my letter to very little purpose, and
repented it several times, as she read on.--Well, then, said I, I
hope your ladyship will give me leave to send my excuses to your good
brother, and say, that your ladyship is come, and is so fond of me, that
you will not let me leave you.--Pretty creature, said she; and wantest
thou thy good master to come, and quarrel with his sister on thy
account?--But thou shalt not stir from my presence; and I would now ask
thee, What it is thou meanest by shewing me this letter?--Why, madam,
said I, to shew your ladyship how I was engaged for this day and
evening.--And for nothing else? said she. Why, I can't tell, madam, said
I: But if you can collect from it any other circumstances, I might hope
I should not be the worse treated.

I saw her eyes began to sparkle with passion: and she took my hand,
and said, grasping it very hard, I know, confident creature, that thou
shewedst it me to insult me!--You shewed it