and even Mr. Mennell himself, though so well-appearing a man.
But now that I find Mr. Lovelace has apprized his relations of his intent
to take it, and had engaged some of the ladies to visit me there, I could
hardly forbear blaming myself for censuring him as capable of so vile an
imposture. But may he not thank himself for acting so very
unaccountably, and taking such needlessly-awry steps, as he had done,
embarrassing, as I told him, his own meanings, if they were good?

LETTER L

MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24.

[He gives his friend an account of their interview that morning; and of
the happy effects of his cousin Montague's letter in his favour. Her
reserves, however, he tells him, are not absolutely banished. But
this he imputes to form.]

It is not in the power of woman, says he, to be altogether sincere on
these occasions. But why?--Do they think it so great a disgrace to be
found out to be really what they are?

I regretted the illness of Mrs. Fretchville; as the intention I had to
fix her dear self in the house before the happy knot was tied, would have
set her in that independence in appearance, as well as fact, which was
necessary to show to all the world that her choice was free; and as the
ladies of my family would have been proud to make their court to her
there, while the settlements and our equipages were preparing. But, on
any other account, there was no great matter in it; since when my happy
day was over, we could, with so much convenience, go down to The Lawn, to
my Lord M.'s, and to Lady Sarah's or Lady Betty's, in turn; which would
give full time to provide ourselves with servants and other
accommodations.

How sweetly the charmer listened!

I asked her, if she had had the small-pox?

Ten thousand pounds the worse in my estimation, thought I, if she has
not; for no one of her charming graces can I dispense with.

'Twas always a doubtful point with her mother and Mrs. Norton, she owned.
But although she was not afraid of it, she chose not unnecessarily to
rush into places where it was.

Right, thought I--Else, I said, it would not have been amiss for her to
see the house before she went into the country; for if she liked it not,
I was not obliged to have it.

She asked, if she might take a copy of Miss Montague's letter?

I said, she might keep the letter itself, and send it to Miss Howe, if
she pleased; for that, I suppose, was her intentio