I could say a great deal more, and all equally to the purpose.  But really I am tired; and so I doubt are you.  And besides, I would reserve something for conversation.

My nieces Montague, and Lady Sarah and Lady Betty, join in compliments to my niece that is to be.  If she would choose to have the knot tied among us, pray tell her that we shall all see it securely done:  and we will make all the country ring and blaze for a week together.  But so I believe I said before.

If any thing further may be needful toward promoting your reciprocal felicity, let me know it; and how you order about the day; and all that.  The enclosed bill is very much at your service.  ’Tis payable at sight, as whatever else you may have occasion for shall be.

So God bless you both; and make things as convenient to my gout as you can; though, be it whenever it will, I will hobble to you; for I long to see you; and still more to see my niece; and am (in expectation of that happy opportunity)

Your most affectionate Uncle
M.

LETTER LIII

Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. 
Thursday, may 25.

Thou seest, Belford, how we now drive before the wind.—­The dear creature now comes almost at the first word, whenever I desire the honour of her company.  I told her last night, that apprehending delay from Pritchard’s slowness, I was determined to leave it to my Lord to make his compliments in his own way; and had actually that afternoon put my writings into the hands of a very eminent lawyer, Counsellor Willians, with directions for him to draw up settlements from my own estate, and conformably to those of my mother! which I put into his hands at the same time.  It had been, I assured her, no small part of my concern, that her frequent displeasure, and our mutual misapprehensions, had hindered me from advising with her before on this subject.  Indeed, indeed, my dearest life, said I, you have hitherto afforded me but a very thorny courtship.

She was silent.  Kindly silent.  For well know I, that she could have recriminated upon me with a vengeance.  But I was willing to see if she were not loth to disoblige me now.  I comforted myself, I said, with the hopes that all my difficulties were now over; and that every past disobligations would be buried in oblivion.

Now, Belford, I have actually deposited these writings with Counsellor Williams; and I expect the draughts in a week at farthest.  So shall be doubly armed.  For if I attempt, and fail, these shall be ready to throw in, to make her have patience with me till I can try again.

I have more contrivances still in embryo.  I could tell thee of an hundred, and yet hold another hundred in petto, to pop in as I go along, to excite thy surprize, and to keep up thy attention.  Nor rave thou at me; but, if thou art my friend, think of Miss Howe’s letters, and of her smuggling scheme.  All owing to my fair captive’s informations incitements.  Am I not a villain, a fool, a Beelzebub, with them already?  —­Yet no harm done by me, nor so much as attempted?