as the only woman of condition, in England, who would be against it.'

I told my lord, that was a reflection on my sex: but Lord and Lady L----,
who had been spoken to, I believe, by Lady Gertrude, were both on his
side--[I shall have this man utterly ruined for a husband among you]--
When there were three to one, it would have looked cowardly to yield, you
know. I was brave. But it being proposed for Sunday, and that being at
a little distance, it was not doubted but I would comply. So the night
passed off, with prayings, hopings, and a little mutteration. [Allow me
that word, or find me a better.] The entreaty was renewed in the
morning; but, no!--'I was ashamed of him,' he said. I asked him if he
really thought so?--'He should think so, if I refused him.' Heaven
forbid, my lord, that I, who contend for the liberty of acting, should
hinder you from the liberty of thinking! Only one piece of advice,
honest friend, said I: don't imagine the worst against yourself: and
another, if you have a mind to carry a point with me, don't bring on the
cause before any body else: for that would be to doubt either my duty, or
your own reasonableness.

As sure as you are alive, Harriet, the man made an exception against
being called honest friend; as if, as I told him, either of the words
were incompatible with quality. So, once, he was as froppish as a child,
on my calling him the man; a higher distinction, I think, than if I had
called him a king, or a prince. THE MAN!--Strange creature! To except to
a distinction that implies, that he is the man of men!--You see what a
captious mortal I have been forced to call my lord. But lord and master
do not always go together; though they do too often, for the happiness of
many a meek soul of our sex.

Well, this debate seemed suspended, by my telling him, that if I were
presented at court, I would not have either the Earl or Lady Gertrude go
with us, the very people who were most desirous to be there--But I might
not think of that, at the time, you know--I would not be thought very
perverse; only a little whimsical, or so. And I wanted not an excellent
reason for excluding them--'Are their consents to our past affair
doubted, my lord, said I, that you think it necessary for them to appear
to justify us?'

He could say nothing to this, you know. And I should never forgive the
husband, as I told him, on another occasion, who would pretend to argue,
when he had nothing to say.

Then (for t