consent you should disorder yourself with it, and Jane was certainly in
the right when she told you I would have chid if I had seen you so
endanger a health that I am so much concerned in. But for what she tell
you of my melancholy you must not believe; she thinks nobody in good
humour unless they laugh perpetually, as Nan and she does, which I was
never given to much, and now I have been so long accustomed to my own
natural dull humour that nothing can alter it. 'Tis not that I am sad
(for as long as you and the rest of my friends are well), I thank God I
have no occasion to be so, but I never appear to be very merry, and if I
had all that I could wish for in the world, I do not think it would make
any visible change in my humour. And yet with all my gravity I could not
but laugh at your encounter in the Park, though I was not pleased that
you should leave a fair lady and go lie upon the cold ground. That is
full as bad as overheating yourself at tennis, and therefore remember
'tis one of the things you are forbidden. You have reason to think your
father kind, and I have reason to think him very civil; all his scruples
are very just ones, but such as time and a little good fortune (if we
were either of us lucky to it) might satisfy. He may be confident I can
never think of disposing myself without my father's consent; and though
he has left it more in my power than almost anybody leaves a daughter,
yet certainly I were the worst natured person in the world if his
kindness were not a greater tie upon me than any advantage he could have
reserved. Besides that, 'tis my duty, from which nothing can ever tempt
me, nor could you like it in me if I should do otherwise, 'twould make
me unworthy of your esteem; but if ever that may be obtained, or I left
free, and you in the same condition, all the advantages of fortune or
person imaginable met together in one man should not be preferred before
you. I think I cannot leave you better than with this assurance. 'Tis
very late, and having been abroad all this day, I knew not till e'en now
of this messenger. Good-night to you. There need be no excuse for the