ng, and then came home: a silly day.

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 t