and so I thought her. But to me she is
one of the most perverse. I never was supposed to be an ill-natured
mortal neither. How can it be? I imagined, for a long while, that we
were born to make each other happy: but quite the contrary; we really
seem to be sent to plague each other.

I will write a comedy, I think: I have a title already; and that's half
the work. The Quarrelsome Lovers. 'Twill do. There's something new and
striking in it. Yet, more or less, all lovers quarrel. Old Terence has
taken notice of that; and observes upon it, That lovers falling out
occasions lovers falling in; and a better understanding of course. 'Tis
natural that it should be so. But with us, we fall out so often, without
falling in once; and a second quarrel so generally happens before a first
is made up; that it is hard to guess what event our loves will be
attended with. But perseverance is my glory, and patience my handmaid,
when I have in view an object worthy of my attempts. What is there in an
easy conquest? Hudibras questions well,

------What mad lover ever dy'd
To gain a soft and easy bride?
Or, for a lady tender-hearted,
In purling streams, or hemp, departed?

But I will lead to the occasion of this preamble.

I had been out. On my return, meeting Dorcas on the stairs--Your lady in
her chamber, Dorcas? In the dining-room, sir: and if ever you hope for
an opportunity to come at a letter, it must be now. For at her feet I
saw one lie, which, as may be seen by its open fold, she had been
reading, with a little parcel of others she is now busied with--all
pulled out of her pocket, as I believe: so, Sir, you'll know where to
find them another time.

I was ready to leap for joy, and instantly resolved to bring forward an
expedient which I had held in petto; and entering the dining-room with an
air of transport, I boldly clasped my arms about her, as she sat; she
huddling up her papers in her handkerchief all the time; the dropped
paper unseen. O my dearest life, a lucky expedient have Mr. Mennell and
I hit upon just now. In order to hasten Mrs. Fretchville to quit the
house, I have agreed, if you approve of it, to entertain her cook, her
housemaid, and two men-servants, (about whom she was very solicitous,)
till you are provided to your mind. And, that no accommodations may be
wanted, I have consented to take the household linen at an appraisement.

I am to pay down five hundred pound