21.  I was visiting all this morning, and then went to the Secretary’s office, and found Mr. Harley, with whom I dined; and Secretary St. John, etc., and Harley promised in a very few days to finish what remains of my business.  Prior was of the company, and we all dine at the Secretary’s to-morrow.  I saw Stella’s mother this morning:  she came early, and we talked an hour.  I wish you would propose to Lady Giffard to take the three hundred pounds out of her hands, and give her common interest for life, and security that you will pay her:  the Bishop of Clogher, or any friend, would be security for you, if you gave them counter-security; and it may be argued that it will pass better to be in your hands than hers, in case of mortality, etc.  Your mother says, if you write, she will second it; and you may write to your mother, and then it will come from her.  She tells me Lady Giffard has a mind to see me, by her discourse; but I told her what to say, with a vengeance.  She told Lady Giffard she was going to see me:  she looks extremely well.  I am writing[16] in my bed like a tiger; and so good-night, etc.

22.  I dined with Secretary St. John; and Lord Dartmouth, who is t’other Secretary, dined with us, and Lord Orrery[17] and Prior, etc.  Harley called, but could not dine with us, and would have had me away while I was at dinner; but I did not like the company he was to have.  We stayed till eight, and I called at the Coffee-house, and looked where the letters lie; but no letter directed for Mr. Presto:  at last I saw a letter to Mr. Addison, and it looked like a rogue’s hand; so I made the fellow give it me, and opened it before him, and saw three letters all for myself:  so, truly, I put them in my pocket, and came home to my lodging.  Well, and so you shall hear:  well, and so I found one of them in Dingley’s hand, and t’other in Stella’s, and the third in Domville’s.[18] Well, so you shall hear; so, said I to myself, What now, two letters from MD together?  But I thought there was something in the wind; so I opened one, and I opened t’other; and so you shall hear, one was from Walls.  Well, but t’other was from our own dear MD; yes it was.  O faith, have you received my seventh, young women, already?  Then I must send this to-morrow, else there will be old[19] doings at our house, faith.—­Well, I won’t answer your letter in this:  no, faith, catch me at that, and I never saw the like.  Well; but as to Walls, tell him (with service to him and wife, etc.) that I have no imagination of Mr. Pratt’s[20] losing his place:  and while Pratt continues, Clements is in no danger; and I have already engaged Lord Hyde[21] he speaks of, for Pratt and twenty others; but, if such a thing should happen, I will do what I can.  I have above ten businesses of other people’s now on my hands, and, I believe, shall miscarry in half.  It is your sixth I now have received.  I writ last post to the Bishop of Clogher again.  Shall I send this to-morrow?  Well, I will, to oblige MD.  Which would you rather, a short letter every week, or a long one every fortnight?  A long one; well, it shall be done, and so good-night.  Well, but is this a long one?  No, I warrant you:  too long for naughty girls.