He flatters himself that you are not so ill as I represent you to be.  When he sees you, he will be convinced that the most obliging things he can do, will be as proper to be done for the sake of his own future peace of mind, as for your health-sake; and, I dare say, in fear of hurting the latter, he will forbear the thoughts of any farther intrusion; at least while you are so much indisposed:  so that one half-hour’s shock, if it will be a shock to see the unhappy man, (but just got up himself from a dangerous fever,) will be all you will have occasion to stand.

I beg you will not too much hurry and discompose yourself.  It is impossible he can be in town till Monday, at soonest.  And if he resolve to come, I hope to be at Mr. Smith’s before him.

I am, Madam, with the profoundest veneration,

Your most faithful and most obedient servant,
J. Belford.

Letter XII
Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.
[In answer to his of Aug. 17.  See letter X. Of this volume.]
Sunday, Aug. 20.

What an unmerciful fellow art thou!  A man has no need of a conscience, who has such an impertinent monitor.  But if Nic.  Rowe wrote a play that answers not his title, am I to be reflected upon for that?—­I have sinned; I repent; I would repair—­she forgives my sin:  she accepts my repentance:  but she won’t let me repair—­What wouldst thou have me do?

But get thee gone to Belton, as soon as thou canst.  Yet whether thou goest or not, up I must go, and see what I can do with the sweet oddity myself.  The moment these prescribing varlets will let me, depend upon it, I go.  Nay, Lord M. thinks she ought to permit me one interview.  His opinion has great authority with me—­when it squares with my own:  and I have assured him, and my two cousins, that I will behave with all the decency and respect that man can behave with to the person whom he most respects.  And so I will.  Of this, if thou choosest not to go to Belton mean time, thou shalt be witness.

Colonel Morden, thou hast heard me say, is a man of honour and bravery:—­ but Colonel Morden has had his girls, as well as you or I. And indeed, either openly or secretly, who has not?  The devil always baits with a pretty wench, when he angles for a man, be his age, rank, or degree, what it will.

I have often heard my beloved speak of the Colonel with great distinction and esteem.  I wish he could make matters a little easier, for her mind’s sake, between the rest of the implacables and herself.