n the contrary, because I see 'tis in vain to think of curing
you, I'll study only to give you what ease I can, and leave the rest to
better physicians,--to time and fortune. Here, then, I declare that you
have still the same power in my heart that I gave you at our last
parting; that I will never marry any other; and that if ever our
fortunes will allow us to marry, you shall dispose of me as you please;
but this, to deal freely with you, I do not hope for. No; 'tis too great
a happiness, and I, that know myself best, must acknowledge I deserve
crosses and afflictions, but can never merit such a blessing. You know
'tis not a fear of want that frights me. I thank God I never distrusted
His providence, nor I hope never shall, and without attributing anything
to myself, I may acknowledge He has given me a mind that can be
satisfied with as narrow a compass as that of any person living of my
rank. But I confess that I have an humour will not suffer me to expose
myself to people's scorn. The name of love is grown so contemptible by
the folly of such as have falsely pretended to it, and so many giddy
people have married upon that score and repented so shamefully
afterwards, that nobody can do anything that tends towards it without
being esteemed a ridiculous person. Now, as my young Lady Holland says,
I never pretended to wit in my life, but I cannot be satisfied that the
world should think me a fool, so that all I can do for you will be to
preserve a constant kindness for you, which nothing shall ever alter or
diminish; I'll never give you any more alarms, by going about to
persuade you against that you have for me; but from this hour we'll live
quietly, no more fears, no more jealousies; the wealth of the whole
world, by the grace of God, shall not tempt me to break my word with
you, nor the importunity of all my friends I have. Keep this as a
testimony against me if ever I do, and make me a reproach to them by it;
therefore be secure, and rest satisfied with what I can do for you.

You should come hither but that I expect my brother every day; not but
that he designed a longer stay when he went, but since he keeps his
horses with him 'tis an infallible token that he is coming. We cannot
miss fitter times than this twenty in a year, and I shall be as ready to
give you notice of such as you can be to desire it, only you would do me
a great pleasure if you could forbear writing, unless it were sometimes
on great occasions. Th