My father indeed, after a long silence, being urged by my uncle Antony
to speak his mind, said, that he had a letter from his son, on his
hearing of Mr. Lovelace's visits to his daughter Arabella; which he
had not shewn to any body but my mother; that treaty being at an end
when he received it: that in this letter he expressed great dislike to
an alliance with Mr. Lovelace on the score of his immoralities: that
he knew, indeed, there was an old grudge between them; but that, being
desirous to prevent all occasions of disunion and animosity in his
family, he would suspend the declaration of his own mind till his son
arrived, and till he had heard his further objections: that he was the
more inclined to make his son this compliment, as Mr. Lovelace's
general character gave but too much ground for his son's dislike of
him; adding, that he had hear (so, he supposed, had every one,) that
he was a very extravagant man; that he had contracted debts in his
travels: and indeed, he was pleased to say, he had the air of a
spendthrift.

These particulars I had partly from my aunt Hervey, and partly from my
sister; for I was called out as soon as the subject was entered upon.
When I returned, my uncle Antony asked me, how I should like Mr.
Lovelace? Every body saw, he was pleased to say, that I had made a
conquest.

I immediately answered, that I did not like him at all: he seemed to
have too good an opinion both on his person and parts, to have any
regard to his wife, let him marry whom he would.

My sister particularly was pleased with this answer, and confirmed it
to be just; with a compliment to my judgment.--For it was hers.