And now, madam, you will wonder, that you see not any preparations for my departure.  All is prepared:  I only wait for the company of one gentleman, who is settling his affairs with all expedition to go with me.  He is an able, a skilful surgeon, who has had great practice abroad, and in the armies:  and having acquired an easy fortune, is come to settle in his native country.  My Jeronymo expresses himself dissatisfied with his surgeons.  If Mr. Lowther can be of service to him, how happy shall I think myself!  And if my presence can be a means to restore the noble Clementina—­But how dare I hope it?—­And yet I am persuaded, that in her case, and with such a temper of mind, (unused to hardship and opposition as she had been,) the only way to recover her, would have been by complying with her in every thing that her heart or head was earnestly set upon:  for what controul was necessary to a young lady, who never, even in the height of her malady, uttered a wish or thought that was contrary to her duty either to God, or her parents; nor yet to the honour of her name; and, allow me, madam, to say, to the pride of her sex?

I am under an obligation to go to Paris, proceeded he, from the will of my late friend Mr. Danby.  I shall stop there for a day or two only, in order to put things in a way for my last hand, on my return from Italy.

When I am in Italy, I shall, perhaps, be enabled to adjust two or three accounts that stand out, in relation to the affairs of my ward.

This day, at dinner, I shall see Mrs. Oldham, and her sons; and in the afternoon, at tea, Mrs. O’Hara, and her husband, and Captain Salmonet.

To-morrow, I hope for the honour of your company, madam, and Mr. and Mrs. Reeves’s at dinner; and be so good as to engage them for the rest of the day.  You must not deny me; because I shall want your influence upon Charlotte, to make her fix Lord G——­’s happy day, that I may be able to see their hands united before I set out; as my return will be uncertain—­

Ah, Lucy! more twitches just then!—­

Thursday next is the day fixed for the triple marriage of the Danby’s.  I have promised to give Miss Danby to Mr. Galliard, and to dine with them and their friends at Enfield.

If I can see my Lord W——­ and Charlotte happy before I go, I shall be highly gratified.

It is another of my wishes, to see my friend Beauchamp in England first, and to leave him in possession of his father’s love, and of his mother-in-law’s civility.  Dr. Bartlett and he will be happy in each other.  I shall correspond with the doctor.  He greatly admires you, madam, and will communicate to you all you shall think worthy of your notice, relating to the proceedings of a man who will always think himself honoured by your inquiries after him.