LETTER XIX

Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, ESQ. 
Tuesday Morn.  July 18, six o’clock.

Having sat up so late to finish and seal in readiness my letter to the above period, I am disturbed before I wished to have risen, by the arrival of thy second fellow, man and horse in a foam.

While he baits, I will write a few lines, most heartily to congratulate thee on thy expected rage and impatience, and on thy recovery of mental feeling.

How much does the idea thou givest me of thy deserved torments, by thy upright awls, bodkins, pins, and packing-needles, by thy rolling hogshead with iron spikes, and by thy macerated sides, delight me!

I will, upon every occasion that offers, drive more spikes into thy hogshead, and roll thee down hill, and up, as thou recoverest to sense, or rather returnest back to senselessness.  Thou knowest therefore the terms on which thou art to enjoy my correspondence.  Am not I, who have all along, and in time, protested against thy barbarous and ungrateful perfidies to a woman so noble, entitled to drive remorse, if possible, into thy hitherto-callous heart?

Only let me repeat one thing, which perhaps I mentioned too slightly before.  That the lady was determined to remove to new lodgings, where neither you nor I should be able to find her, had I not solemnly assured her, that she might depend upon being free from your visits.

These assurances I thought I might give her, not only because of your promise, but because it is necessary for you to know where she is, in order to address yourself to her by your friends.

Enable me therefore to make good to her this my solemn engagement; or adieu to all friendship, at least to all correspondence, with thee for ever.

J. Belford.

LETTER XX

Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, ESQ. 
Tuesday, July 18.  Afternoon.

I renewed my inquiries after the lady’s health, in the morning, by my servant:  and, as soon as I had dined, I went myself.

I had but a poor account of it:  yet sent up my compliments.  She returned me thanks for all my good offices; and her excuses, that they could not be personal just then, being very low and faint:  but if I gave myself the trouble of coming about six this evening, she should be able, she hoped, to drink a dish of tea with me, and would then thank me herself.

I am very proud of this condescension; and think it looks not amiss for you, as I am your avowed friend.  Methinks I want fully to remove from her mind all doubts of you in this last villanous action:  and who knows then what your noble relations may be able to do for you with her, if you hold your mind?  For your servant acquainted me with their having actually engaged Miss Howe in their and your favour, before this cursed affair happened.  And I desire the particulars of all from yourself, that I may the better know how to serve you.