ld still be
courted by all that knew how to value her, like _la belle aveugle_ that
was Philip the 2nd of France his mistress. I am wholly ignorant of the
story you mention, and am confident you are not well inform'd, for 'tis
impossible she should ever have done anything that were unhandsome. If I
knew who the person were that is concern'd in't, she allows me so much
freedom with her, that I could easily put her upon the discourse, and I
do not think she would use much of disguise in it towards me. I should
have guessed it Algernon Sydney, but that I cannot see in him that
likelihood of a fortune which you seem to imply by saying 'tis not
present. But if you should mean by that, that 'tis possible his wit and
good parts may raise him to one, you must pardon if I am not of your
opinion, for I do not think these are times for anybody to expect
preferment in that deserves it, and in the best 'twas ever too uncertain
for a wise body to trust to. But I am altogether of your mind, that my
Lady Sunderland is not to be followed in her marrying fashion, and that
Mr. Smith never appear'd less her servant than in desiring it; to speak
truth, it was convenient for neither of them, and in meaner people had
been plain undoing one another, which I cannot understand to be kindness
of either side. She has lost by it much of the repute she had gained by
keeping herself a widow; it was then believed that wit and discretion
were to be reconciled in her person that have so seldom been persuaded
to meet in anybody else. But we are all mortal.

I did not mean that Howard. 'Twas Arundel Howard. And the seals were
some remainders that showed his father's love to antiquities, and
therefore cost him dear enough if that would make them good. I am sorry
I cannot follow your counsel in keeping fair with Fortune. I am not apt
to suspect without just cause, but in earnest if I once find anybody
faulty towards me, they lose me for ever; I have forsworn being twice
deceived by the same person. For God's sake do not say she has the
spleen, I shall hate it worse than ever I did, nor that it is a disease
of the wits, I shall think you abuse me, for then I am sure it would not
be mine; but were it certain that they went together always, I dare
swear there is nobody so proud of their wit as to keep it upon such
terms, but would be glad after they had endured it a while to let them
both go as they came. I know nothing yet that is likely to alter my
resolutio