And this will one day be acknowledged by both families. You will then be
every one's favourite; and every good servant, for the future, will be
proud to be likened to honest Joseph Leman.

If she should guess at you, or find you out, I have it already in my head
to write a letter for you to copy,* which, occasionally produced, will
set you right with her.


* See Vol.III. Letter XXI.


This one time be diligent, be careful: this will be the crown of all: and
once more, depend, for a recompense, upon the honour of

Your assured friend,
R. LOVELACE.

You need not be so much afraid of going too far with Betty. If you
should make a match with her, she is a very likely creature, though a
vixen, as you say. I have an admirable receipt to cure a termagant wife.
--Never fear, Joseph, but thou shalt be master of thine house. If she be
very troublesome, I can teach thee how to break her heart in a
twelvemonth; and honestly too;--or the precept would not be mine.

I enclose a new earnest of my future favour.



LETTER IV