never before happened to you, you are really in
love; but let us consider a little what may be the consequence. In
the first place, then, I believe, you have not the least intention
of seducing her: such is her birth and merit, that if you were in
possession of the estate and title of your family, it might be excusable
in you to offer yourself upon honourable terms, however ridiculous
marriage may be in general; for, if you only wish for wit, prudence,
and the treasures of beauty, you could not pay your addresses to a more
proper person: but for you, who possess only a very moderate share of
those of fortune, you cannot pay your addresses more improperly.

"For your brother Toulongeon, whose disposition I am acquainted with,
will not have the complaisance to die, to favour your pretensions: but
suppose you had a competent fortune for you both--and that is
supposing a good deal--are you acquainted with the delicacy, not to say
capriciousness, of this fair one about such an engagement? Do you know
that she has had the choice of the best matches in England? The Duke of
Richmond paid his addresses to her first; but though he was in love with
her, still he was mercenary: however, the king, observing that want of
fortune was the only impediment to the match, took that article upon
himself, out of regard to the Duke of Ormond, to the merit and birth of
Miss Hamilton, and to her father's services; but, resenting that a
man, who pretended to be in love, should bargain like a merchant, and
likewise reflecting upon his character in the world, she did not think
that being Duchess of Richmond was a sufficient recompense for the
danger that was to be feared from a brute and a debauchee.

"Has not little Jermyn, notwithstanding his uncle's great estate, and
his own brilliant reputation, failed in his suit to her? And has she
ever so much as vouchsafed to look at Henry Howard, who is upon the
point of being the first duke in England, and who is already in actual
possession of all the estates of the house of Norfolk? I confess that he
is a clown, but what other lady in all England would not have dispensed
with his stupidity and his disagreeable person, to be the first duchess
in the kingdom, with twenty-five thousand a year?

"To conclude, Lord Falmouth has told me himself, that he has always
looked upon her as the only acquisition wanting to complete his
happiness: but, that even at the height of the splendour of his fortune,
he neve