affections; at least, has raised a jealousy with regard to the
apprehended favour of my two uncles, that now-and-then overshadows
their love.

My brother being happily recovered of his fever, and his wound in a
hopeful way, although he has not yet ventured abroad, I will be as
particular as you desire in the little history you demand of me. But
heaven forbid that any thing should ever happen which may require it
to be produced for the purpose you mention!

I will begin, as you command, with Mr. Lovelace's address to my
sister; and be as brief as possible. I will recite facts only; and
leave you to judge of the truth of the report raised, that the younger
sister has robbed the elder.

It was in pursuance of a conference between Lord M. and my uncle
Antony, that Mr. Lovelace [my father and mother not forbidding] paid
his respect to my sister Arabella. My brother was then in Scotland,
busying himself in viewing the condition of the considerable estate
which was left him there by his generous godmother, together with one
as considerable in Yorkshire. I was also absent at my Dairy-house, as
it is called,* busied in the accounts relating to the estate which my
grandfather had the goodness to devise to me; and which once a year
was left to my inspection, although I have given the whole into my
father's power.


* Her grandfather, in order to invite her to him as often as her other
friends would spare her, indulged her in erecting and fitting up a
diary-house in her own taste. When finished, it was so much admired