Quinze goes on vigorously at Almack's.(43) Lady S. says
that you have fixed your coming of age as an epoque for leaving off
that and all kind of play whatsoever. My dear Lord, vive hodie;
don't nurse any passion that gathers strength by time, and may be
easier broke of at first. I am in hopes indeed that when you are
maitre de vos biens, as the French say, you will not invite Scot,
Parker, or Shafto(44) to partake it with you. Your condition of
life, and the necessary expenses of it, will not allow that
coalition. I never kept so long from play yet, but I frankly own I
have not much virtue to boast of by that continency. I know of no
good opportunity which I have resisted. St. John(45) told me at the
play last night that you was to go and return from Turin alone. I
hope that is not so; I shall be very angry with Robert, if he does
not take great care both of you and Rover. I will finish the rest
when I have seen Sir William.

Tuesday night.--Sir W[illia]m sent me word he did not call upon me
to-day because he could not settle with the courier till Thursday;
and Hemmins did call, and assured me that on Thursday the Badge
should be ready. I scolded till I was in a fever; I believe he will
not venture to put me off any longer.

(30) "Historic Doubts on Richard the Third."

(31) The best English history that had been written up to that time,
and the first that made any attempt to literary merit. The first
edition was published at intervals from 1754 to 1761. A second
edition had been issued in 1762.