present) incited my curiosity to know if the same complacency might not
be shown to a private friend. 'Tis true, I was in honour obliged to keep
the secret. But I never saw the turtles bill afterwards, but I thought
of number two to the same female; and in my heart thanked the fond
husband for the lesson he had taught his wife.

From what I have said, thou wilt see, that I approve of my beloved's
exception to public loves. That, I hope, is all the charming icicle
means by marriage-purity, but to return.

From the whole of what I have mentioned to have passed between my beloved
and me, thou wilt gather, that I have not been a mere dangler, a Hickman,
in the passed days, though not absolutely active, and a Lovelace.

The dear creature now considers herself as my wife-elect. The unsaddened
heart, no longer prudish, will not now, I hope, give the sable turn to
every address of the man she dislikes not. And yet she must keep up so
much reserve, as will justify past inflexibilities. 'Many and many a
pretty soul would yield, were she not afraid that the man she favoured
would think the worse of her for it.' That is also a part of the rake's
creed. But should she resent ever so strongly, she cannot now break with
me; since, if she does, there will be an end of the family
reconciliation; and that in a way highly discreditable to herself.


SATURDAY, JUNE 3.

Just returned from Doctors Commons. I have been endeavouring to get a
license. Very true, Jack. I have the mortification to find a
difficulty, as the lady is of rank and fortune, and as there is no