I can help it] a
love-letter?

M. Well, well, I see you are averse to this matter. I am not to be
your mother; you will live single, if I marry. I had a mind to see if
generosity govern you in your views. I shall pursue my own inclinations;
and if they should happen to be suitable to yours, pray let me for the
future be better rewarded by you than hitherto I have been.

And away she flung, without staying for a reply.--Vexed, I dare say, that
I did not better approve of the proposal--were it only that the merit of
denying might have been all her own, and to lay the stronger obligation
upon her saucy daughter.

She wrote such a widow-like refusal when she went from me, as might not
exclude hope in any other wooer; whatever it may do in Mr. Tony Harlowe.

It will be my part, to take care to beat her off the visit she half-
promises to make him (as you will see in her answer) upon condition that
he will withdraw his suit. For who knows what effect the old bachelor's
exotics [far-fetched and dear-bought you know is a proverb] might
otherwise have upon a woman's mind, wanting nothing but unnecessaries,
gewgaws, and fineries, and offered such as are not easily to be met with,
or purchased?

Well, but now I give you leave to read here, in this place, the copy of
my mother's answer to your uncle's letter. Not one comment will I make
upon it. I know my duty better. And here, therefore, taking the liberty
to hope, that I may, in your present less disagreeable, though not wholly
agreeable situation, provoke a smile from you, I conclude myself,

Your ever affectionate and faithful,
ANNA HOWE.

MRS. ANNABELLA HOWE, TO ANTONY HARLY, ESQ.

MR. ANTONY HARLOWE,
FRIDAY, MAY 19.

SIR,

It is not usual I believe for our sex to answer by pen and ink the first
letter on these occasions. The first letter! How odd is that! As if I
expected another; which I do not. But then I think, as I do not judge
proper to encourage your proposal, there is no reason why I should not
answer in civility, where so great a civility is intended. Indeed, I was
always of opinion that a person was entitled to that, and not to ill
usage, because he had a respect for me. And so I have often and often
told my daughter.

A woman I think makes but a poor figure in a man's eye afterwards, and
does no reputation to her sex neither, when she behaves like a tyrant to
him beforehand.

To be sure, Sir, if I were to change my condition, I know