n author.
But perhaps I like it the worse for having a piece of _Cyrus_ by me that
I am hugely pleased with, and that I would fain have you read: I'll send
it you. At least read one story that I'll mark you down, if you have
time for no more. I am glad you stay to wait on your sister. I would
have my gallant civil to all, much more when it is so due, and kindness
too.

I have the cabinet, and 'tis in earnest a pretty one; though you will
not own it for a present, I'll keep it as one, and 'tis like to be yours
no more but as 'tis mine. I'll warrant you would ne'er have thought of
making me a present of charcoal as my servant James would have done, to
warm my heart I think he meant it. But the truth is, I had been
inquiring for some (as 'tis a commodity scarce enough in this country),
and he hearing it, told the baily [bailiff?] he would give him some if
'twere for me. But this is not all. I cannot forbear telling you the
other day he made me a visit, and I, to prevent his making discourse to
me, made Mrs. Goldsmith and Jane sit by all the while. But he came
better provided than I could have imagined. He brought a letter with
him, and gave it me as one he had met with directed to me, he thought it
came out of Northamptonshire. I was upon my guard, and suspecting all he
said, examined him so strictly where he had it before I would open it,
that he was hugely confounded, and I confirmed that 'twas his. I laid it
by and wished that they would have left us, that I might have taken
notice on't to him. But I had forbid it them so strictly before, that
they offered not to stir farther than to look out of window, as not
thinking there was any necessity of giving us their eyes as well as
their ears; but he that saw himself discovered took that time to confess
to me (in a whispering voice that I could hardly hear myself) that the
letter (as my Lord Broghill says) was of _great concern_ to him, and
begged I would read it, and give him my answer. I took it up presently,
as if I had meant it, but threw it, sealed as it was, into the fire, and
told him (as softly as he had spoke to me) I thought that the quickest
and best way of answering it. He sat awhile in great disorder, without
speaking a word, and so ris and took his leave. Now what think you,
shall I ever hear of him more?

You do not thank me for using your rival so scurvily nor are not jealous
of him, though your father thinks my intentions were not handsome
towards you, whi