* See Letter XXXV. and Letter XXXVI. of this volume.
** See Letter XXXVI. of this volume.

Do you think it is to the credit of Mr. Lovelace's character that he
can be offensive and violent?--Does he not, as all such spirits must,
subject himself to the necessity of making submissions for his excesses
far more mortifying to a proud hear than those condescensions which the
high-spirited are so apt to impute as a weakness of mind in such a man
as Mr. Hickman?

Let me tell you, my dear, that Mr. Hickman is such a one as would rather
bear an affront from a lady, than offer one to her. He had rather, I
dare say, that she should have occasion to ask his pardon than he her's.
But my dear, you have outlived your first passion; and had the second
man been an angel, he would not have been more than indifferent to you.

My motives for suspending, proceeds she, were not merely ceremonious
ones. I was really very ill. I could not hold up my head. The contents
of my sister's letters had pierced my heart. Indeed, my dear, I was very
ill. And was I, moreover, to be as ready to accept his offer as if I
were afraid he never would repeat it?

I see with great regret that your mamma is still immovably bent against
our correspondence. What shall I do about it?--It goes against me to
continue it, or to wish you to favour me with returns.--Yet I have so
managed my matters that I have no friend but you to advise with. It is
enough to make one indeed wish to be married to this man, though a man
of errors, as he has worthy relations of my own sex; and I should have
some friends, I hope:--and having some, I might have more--for as
money is said to increase money, so does the countenance of persons of
character increase friends: while the destitute must be destitute.--It
goes against my heart to beg of your to discontinue corresponding with
me; and yet it is against my conscience to carry it on against parental
prohibition. But I dare not use all the arguments against it that I
could use--And why?--For fear I should convince you; and you should
reject me as the rest of my friends have done. I leave therefore the
determination of this point upon you.--I am not, I find, to be trusted
with it. But be mine all the fault, and all the punishment, if it be
punishable!--And certainly it must, when it can be the cause of the
letter I have before me, and which I must no farther animadvert upon,
because you forbid me to do so.

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