Your ever affectionate and grateful
CL. HARLOWE.



LETTER IX

MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.
TUESDAY, MAY 30.


I have a letter from Lord M. Such a one as I would wish for, if I
intended matrimony. But as matters are circumstanced, I cannot think of
showing it to my beloved.

My Lord regrets, 'that he is not to be the Lady's nuptial father. He
seems apprehensive that I have still, specious as my reasons are, some
mischief in my head.'

He graciously consents, 'that I may marry when I please; and offers one
or both of my cousins to assist my bride, and to support her spirits on
the occasion; since, as he understands, she is so much afraid to venture
with me.

'Pritchard, he tells me, has his final orders to draw up deeds for
assigning over to me, in perpetuity, 1000£. per annum: which he will
execute the same hour that the lady in person owns her marriage.'

He consents, 'that the jointure be made from my own estate.'