r Sorlings: his repeated motions for Hannah's attendance; and
for that of one of the widow Sorlings's daughters; and, above all, for
that of Mrs. Norton; are agreeable counterbalances. Were it not for
these circumstances, I should have said a great deal more of the other.
Yet what a foolish fellow, to let you know over-night that he had such
letters!--I can't tell what to make of him.

I am pleased with the contents of these ladies' letters. And the more,
as I have caused the family to be again sounded, and find that they are
all as desirous as ever of your alliance.

They really are (every one of them) your very great admirers. And as for
Lord M., he is so much pleased with you, and with the confidence, as
he calls it, which you have reposed in his nephew, that he vows he will
disinherit him, if he reward it not as he ought. You must take care,
that you lose not both families.

I hear Mrs. Norton is enjoined, as she values the favour of the
other family, not to correspond either with you or with me--Poor
creatures!--But they are your--yet they are not your relations, neither,
I believe. Had you had any other nurse, I should have concluded you had
been changed. I suffer by their low malice--excuse me, therefore.

You really hold this man to his good behaviour with more spirit than
I thought you mistress of; especially when I judged of you by that
meekness which you always contended for, as the proper distinction of
the female character; and by the love, which (think as you please) you
certainly have for him. You may rather be proud of than angry at the
imputation; since you are the only woman I ever knew, read, or heard
of, whose love was so much governed by her prudence. But when once the
indifference of the husband takes place of the ardour of the lover, it
will be your turn: and, if I am not mistaken, this man, who is the only
self-admirer I ever knew who was not a coxcomb, will rather in his day
expect homage than pay it.

Your handsome husbands, my dear, make a wife's heart ache very often:
and though you are as fine a person of a woman, at the least, as he is
of a man, he will take too much delight in himself to think himself more
indebted to your favour, than you are to his distinction and preference
of you. But no man, take your finer mind with your very fine person, can
deserve you. So you must be contented, should your merit be underrated;
since that must be so, marry whom you will. Perhaps you will think