To Lord Viscount Fondville.
My Lord,
I AM the last man in the world to whom
it was necessary to apologize for an intention
of entering into a state which, I have
experienced, is productive of such exquisite
felicity.
My daughter's choice is perfectly free;
nor shall I ever do more than advise her,
in an affair of such consequence to herself;
but, from what I know of her character,
think it highly improbable she should approve
the pretensions of a man, who professes
being above those tender affections
which alone can make happy sensibility
like hers.
Allow me to take the liberty of observing,
in answer to the latter part of your
Lordship's letter, that there are few ranks
which Lady Julia Mandeville has not a
right to fill. I am, my Lord,
Your Lordship's
most Obedient and
devoted Servant,
Belmont.
Don't come to Belmont, I charge you;
I shall have this invincible Lady Julia seduce
you too. Besides, I have some reasons
why I chuse our attachment should not
yet come to a crisis; till when, I will take
Lady Belmont's advice and be prudent:
obey in silence; let me have no more
sighs till the milder influence of the Heavens
dispose me to be gracious. I am always
in good humour in Autumn; your
fate may possibly be determined in little
more than a month: ask no questions;
suspend your passion, or at least the outward
expression of it, and write to me in Amico.
Adieu!
