to make a good one in his
life, and that was it I think that spoiled it. He was condemned for
making the first he drew for me a little worse than I, and in making
this better he has made it as unlike as t'other. He is now, I think, at
my Lord Pagett's at Marloe [Marlow], where I am promised he shall draw a
picture of my Lady for me,--she gives it me, she says, as the greatest
testimony of her friendship to me, for by her own rule she is past the
time of having pictures taken of her. After eighteen, she says, there is
no face but decays apparently; I would fain have had her excepted such
as had never been beauties, for my comfort, but she would not.

When you see your friend Mr. Heningham, you may tell him in his ear
there is a willow garland coming towards him. He might have sped better
in his suit if he had made court to me, as well as to my Lady Ruthin.
She has been my wife this seven years, and whosoever pretends there must
ask my leave. I have now given my consent that she shall marry a very
pretty little gentleman, Sir Christopher Yelverton's son, and I think we
shall have a wedding ere it be long. My Lady her mother, in great
kindness, would have recommended Heningham to me, and told me in a
compliment that I was fitter for him than her daughter, who was younger,
and therefore did not understand the world so well; that she was certain
if he knew me he would be extremely taken, for I would make just that
kind of wife he looked for. I humbly thanked her, but said I was certain
he would not make that kind of husband I looked for,--and so it went no
further.

I expect my eldest brother here shortly, whose fortune is well mended by
my other brother's death, so as if he were satisfied himself with what
he has done, I know no reason why he might not be very happy; but I am
afraid he is not. I have not seen my sister since I knew she was so;
but, sure, she can have lost no beauty, for I never saw any that she
had, but good black eyes, which cannot alter. He loves her, I think, at
the ordinary rate of husbands, but not enough, I believe, to marry her
so much to his disadvantage if it were to do again; and that would kill
me were I as she, for I could be infinitely better satisfied with a
husband that had never loved me in hopes he might, than with one that
began to love me less than he had done.

I am yours.

_Letter 37._

SIR,--You say I abuse you; and Jane says you abuse me when you say you
are not melancholy: