coming out so soon; he swears to me he never comes out of town before
eleven o'clock, and that my Lady Paynter's footman (as he calls him)
brings her letters two hours sooner than he needs to do. I told him he
was gone one day before the letter came; he vows he was not, and that
your old friend Collins never brought letters of my Lady Paynter's in
his life; and, to speak truth, Collins did not bring me that letter. I
had it from this Harrold two hours before Collins came. Yet it is
possible all that he says may not be so, for I have known better men
than he lie; therefore if Collins be more for your ease or conveniency,
make use of him hereafter. I know not whether my letter were kind or
not, but I'll swear yours was not, and am sure mine was meant to be so.
It is not kind in you to desire an increase of my friendship; that is to
doubt it is not as great already as it can be, than which you cannot do
me a greater injury. 'Tis my misfortune indeed that it lies not in my
power to give you better testimony on't than words, otherwise I should
soon convince you that 'tis the best quality I have, and that where I
own a friendship, I mean so perfect a one, as time can neither lessen
nor increase. If I said nothing of my coming to town, 'twas because I
had nothing to say that I thought you would like to hear. For I do not
know that ever I desired anything earnestly in my life, but 'twas denied
me, and I am many times afraid to wish a thing merely lest my Fortune
should take that occasion to use me ill. She cannot see, and therefore I
may venture to write that I intend to be in London if it be possible on
Friday or Saturday come sennight. Be sure you do not read it aloud, lest
she hear it, and prevent me, or drive you away before I come. It is so
like my luck, too, that you should be going I know not whither again;
but trust me, I have looked for it ever since I heard you were come
home. You will laugh, sure, when I shall tell you that hearing that my
Lord Lisle was to go ambassador into Sweden, I remember'd your father's
acquaintance in that family with an apprehension that he might be in the