Stella's mother this morning: she came early, and we talked an hour. I wish
you would propose to Lady Giffard to take the three hundred pounds out of her
hands, and give her common interest for life, and security that you will pay
her: the Bishop of Clogher, or any friend, would be security for you, if you
gave them counter-security; and it may be argued that it will pass better to
be in your hands than hers, in case of mortality, etc. Your mother says, if
you write, she will second it; and you may write to your mother, and then it
will come from her. She tells me Lady Giffard has a mind to see me, by her
discourse; but I told her what to say, with a vengeance. She told Lady
Giffard she was going to see me: she looks extremely well. I am writing[16]
in my bed like a tiger; and so good-night, etc.

22. I dined with Secretary St. John; and Lord Dartmouth, who is t'other
Secretary, dined with us, and Lord Orrery[17] and Prior, etc. Harley called,
but could not dine with us, and would have had me away while I was at dinner;
but I did not like the company he was to have. We stayed till eight, and I
called at the Coffee-house, and looked where the letters lie; but no letter
directed for Mr. Presto: at last I saw a letter to Mr. Addison, and it looked
like a rogue's hand; so I made the fellow give it me, and opened it before
him, and saw three letters all for myself: so, truly, I put them in my
pocket, and came home to my lodging. Well, and so you shall hear: well, and
so I found one of them in Dingley's hand, and t'other in Stella's, and the
third in Domville's.[18] Well, so you shall hear; so, said I to myself, What
now, two letters from MD together? But I thought there was something in the
wind; so I opened one, and I opened t'other; and so you shall hear, one was
from Walls. Well, but t'other was from our own dear MD; yes it was. O faith,
have you received my seventh, young women, already? Then I must send this
to-morrow, else there will be old[19] doings at our house, faith.--Well, I
won't answer your letter in this: no, faith, catch me at that, and I never
saw the like. Well; but as to Walls, tell him (with service to him and wife,