I have, I own, disobeyed her in one article; and that is, where she desires I would not put myself into mourning.  I could not help it.

I send this and mine of Saturday last together; and will not add another word, after I have told you that I think myself

Your obliged servant,
A. Howe.

LETTER L

Mr. Belford, to miss Howe
Thursday night, Oct. 5.

I return you, Madam, my most respectful thanks for your condescending hint, in relation to the pious wishes of your exalted friend for my thorough reformation.

I will only say, that it will be my earnest and unwearied endeavour to make those generous wishes effectual:  and I hope for the Divine blessing upon such my endeavours, or else I know they will be in vain.

I cannot, Madam, express how much I think myself obliged to you for your farther condescension, in writing to me so frankly the state of your past and present mind, in relation to the single and matrimonial life.  If the lady by whom, as the executor of her inimitable friend, I am thus honoured, has failings, never were failings so lovely in woman!—­How much more lovely, indeed, than the virtues of many of her sex!

I might have ventured into the hands of such a lady the Colonel’s original letter entire.  The worthy gentleman exceedingly admires you; and this caution was the effect of his politeness only, and of his regard for you.

I send you, Madam, a letter from Lord M. to myself; and the copies of three others written in consequence of that.  These will acquaint you with Mr. Lovelace’s departure from England, and with other particulars, which you will be curious to know.

Be pleased to keep to yourself such of the contents as your own prudence will suggest to you ought not to be seen by any body else.

I am, Madam, with the profoundest and most grateful respect,

Your faithful and obliged humble servant,
John Belford.

LETTER LI

Lord M. To John Belford, Esq. 
M. Hall, Friday, Sept. 29.

DEAR SIR,

My kinsman Lovelace is now setting out for London; proposing to see you, and then to go to Dover, and so embark.  God send him well out of the kingdom!

On Monday he will be with you, I believe.  Pray let me be favoured with an account of all your conversations; for Mr. Mowbray and Mr. Tourville are to be there too; and whether you think he is grown quite his own man again.

What I mostly write for is, to wish you to keep Colonel Morden and him asunder; and so I give you notice of his going to town.  I should be very loth there should be any mischief between them, as you gave me notice that the Colonel threatened my nephew.  But my kinsman would not bear that; so nobody let him know that he did.  But I hope there is no fear; for the Colonel does not, as I hear, threaten now.  For his own sake, I am glad of that; for there is not such a man in the world as my kinsman is said to be, at all the weapons—­as well he was not; he would not be so daring.