I send you back the copies of the posthumous letters.  I see the humanity of your purpose, in the transmission of them to me; and I thank you most heartily for it.  I presume, that it is owing to the same laudable consideration, that you kept back the copy of that to the wicked man himself.

I intend to wait upon Miss Howe in person with the diamond ring, and such other of the effects bequeathed to her as are here.  I am, Sir,

Your most faithful and obliged servant,
Wm. Morden.

[Mr. Belford, in his answer to this letter, farther enforces the lady’s
      dying injunctions; and rejoices that the Colonel has made no
      vindictive resolutions; and hopes every thing from his prudence
      and consideration, and from his promise given to the dying lady.

He refers to the seeing him in town on account of the dreadful ends of
      two of the greatest criminals in his cousin’s affair.  ’This, says
      he, together with Mr. Lovelace’s disorder of mind, looks as if
      Providence had already taken the punishment of these unhappy
      wretches into its own hands.’

He desires the Colonel will give him a day’s notice of his coming to
      town, lest otherwise he may be absent at the time—­this he does,
      though he tells him not the reason, with a view to prevent a
      meeting between him and Mr. Lovelace; who might be in town (as he
      apprehends,) about the same time, in his way to go abroad.]

LETTER XLVI

Colonel Morden, to John Belford, Esq. 
Tuesday, Sept. 26.

DEAR SIR,

I cannot help congratulating myself as well as you that we have already got through with the family every article of the will where they have any concern.

You left me a discretional power in many instances; and, in pursuance of it, I have had my dear cousin’s personal jewels, and will account to you for them, at the highest price, when I come to town, as well as for other matters that you were pleased to intrust to my management.

These jewels I have presented to my cousin Dolly Hervey, in acknowledgement of her love to the dear departed.  I have told Miss Howe of this; and she is as well pleased with what I have done as if she had been the purchaser of them herself.  As that young lady has jewels of her own, she could only have wished to purchase these because they were her beloved friend’s.—­The grandmother’s jewels are also valued; and the money will be paid me for you, to be carried to the uses of the will.

Mrs. Norton is preparing, by general consent, to enter upon her office as housekeeper at The Grove.  But it is my opinion that she will not be long on this side Heaven.

I waited upon Miss Howe myself, as I told you I would, with what was bequeathed to her and her mother.  You will not be displeased, perhaps, if I make a few observations with regard to that young lady, so dear to my beloved cousin, as you have not a personal acquaintance with her.