very unfit employment that your father, out of his
kindness to you and his civility to me, was content to take upon him.

_Letter 34._

SIR,--Jane was so unlucky as to come out of town before your return, but
she tells me she left my letter with Nan Stacy for you. I was in hope
she would have brought me one from you; and because she did not I was
resolv'd to punish her, and kept her up till one o'clock telling me all
her stories. Sure, if there be any truth in the old observation, your
cheeks glowed notably; and 'tis most certain that if I were with you, I
should chide notably. What do you mean to be so melancholy? By her
report your humour is grown insupportable. I can allow it not to be
altogether what she says, and yet it may be very ill too; but if you
loved me you would not give yourself over to that which will infallibly
kill you, if it continue. I know too well that our fortunes have given
us occasion enough to complain and to be weary of her tyranny; but,
alas! would it be better if I had lost you or you me; unless we were
sure to die both together, 'twould but increase our misery, and add to
that which is more already than we can well tell how to bear. You are
more cruel than she regarding a life that's dearer to me than that of
the whole world besides, and which makes all the happiness I have or
ever shall be capable of. Therefore, by all our friendship I conjure you
and, by the power you have given me, command you, to preserve yourself
with the same care that you would have me live. 'Tis all the obedience I
require of you, and will be the greatest testimony you can give me of
your faith. When you have promised me this, 'tis not impossible that I
may promise you shall see me shortly; though my brother Peyton (who says
he will come down to fetch his daughter) hinders me from making the
journey in compliment to her. Yet I shall perhaps find business enough
to carry me up to town. 'Tis all the service I expect from two girls
whose friends have given me leave to provide for, that some order I must
take for the disposal of them may serve for my pretence to see you; but
then I must find you pleased and in good humour, merry as you were wont
to be when we first met, if you will not have me show that I am nothing
akin to my cousin Osborne's lady.

But what an age 'tis since we first met, and how great a change it has
wrought in both of us; if there had been as great a one in my face, it
could be either very han