s bond. I hope you are good managers; and that, when I say so,
Stella won't think I intend she should grudge herself wine. But going to
those expensive lodgings requires some fund. I wish you had stayed till
I came over, for some reasons. That Frenchwoman(16) will be grumbling
again in a little time: and if you are invited anywhere to the country,
it will vex you to pay in absence; and the country may be necessary for
poor Stella's health: but do as you like, and do not blame Presto.--Oh,
but you are telling your reasons.--Well, I have read them; do as you
please.--Yes, Raymond says he must stay longer than he thought, because
he cannot settle his affairs. M---- is in the country at some friend's,
comes to town in spring, and then goes to settle in Herefordshire. Her
husband is a surly, ill-natured brute, and cares not she should see
anybody. O Lord, see how I blundered, and left two lines short; it was
that ugly score in the paper(17) that made me mistake.--I believe you
lie about the story of the fire, only to make it more odd. Bernage must
go to Spain; and I will see to recommend him to the Duke of Argyle, his
General, when I see the Duke next: but the officers tell me it would be
dishonourable in the last degree for him to sell now, and he would never
be preferred in the army; so that, unless he designs to leave it for
good and all, he must go. Tell him so, and that I would write if I knew
where to direct to him; which I have said fourscore times already. I had
rather anything almost than that you should strain yourselves to send
a letter when it is inconvenient; we have settled that matter already.
I'll write when I can, and so shall MD; and upon occasions extraordinary
I will write, though it be a line; and when we have not letters soon, we
agree that all things are well; and so that's settled for ever, and
so hold your tongue.--Well, you shall have your pins; but for candles'
ends, I cannot promise, because I burn them to the stumps; besides, I
remember what Stella told Dingley about them many years ago, and she
may think the same thing of me.--And Dingley shall have her hinged
spectacles.--Poor dear Stella, how durst you write those two lines by
candlelight? bang your bones! Faith, this letter shall go to-morrow, I
think, and that will be in ten days from the last, young women; that's
too soon of all conscience: but answering yours has filled it up so
quick, and I do not design to use you to three pages in folio, n