The dear creature takes this incident to heart, I believe: She has sent
word to my repeated request to see her notwithstanding her denial, that
she cannot till the morning: it shall be then at six o'clock, if I
please!

To be sure I do please!

Can see her but once a day now, Jack!

Did I tell thee, that I wrote a letter to my cousin Montague, wondering
that I heard not from Lord M. as the subject was so very interesting! In
it I acquainted her with the house I was about taking; and with Mrs.
Fretchville's vapourish delays.

I was very loth to engage my own family, either man or woman, in this
affair; but I must take my measures securely: and already they all think
as bad of me as they well can. You observe by my Lord M.'s letter to
yourself, that the well-manner'd peer is afraid I should play this
admirable creature one of my usual dog's tricks.

I have received just now an answer from Charlotte.

Charlot i'n't well. A stomach disorder!

No wonder a girl's stomach should plague her. A single woman; that's it.
When she has a man to plague, it will have something besides itself to
prey upon. Knowest thou not moreover, that man is the woman's sun; woman
is the man's earth?--How dreary, how desolate, the earth, that the suns
shines not upon!

Poor Charlotte! But I heard she was not well: that encouraged me to
write to her; and to express myself a little concerned, that she had not,
of her own accord, thought of a visit in town to my charmer.

Here follows a copy of her letter. Thou wilt see by it that every little
monkey is to catechise me. They all depend upon my good-nature.

M. HALL, MAY 22.

DEAR COUSIN,

We have been in daily hope for a long time, I must call it, of hearing
that the happy knot was tied. My Lord has been very much out of order:
and yet nothing would serve him, but he would himself write an answer to
your letter. It was the only opportunity he should ever have, perhaps,
to throw in a little good advice to you, with the hope of its being of
any signification; and he has been several hours in a day, as his gout
would let him, busied in it. It wants now only his last revisal. He
hopes it will have the greater weight with you, as it appear all in his
own hand-writing.

Indeed, Mr. Lovelace, his worthy heart is wrapt up in you. I wish you
loved yourself but half as well. But I believe too, that if all the
family loved you less, you would love yourself more.

His Lordship has