To Colonel Bellville.
Wednesday, Three o'Clock.
I Really cannot help feeling prodigiously
foolish about this marriage; it is a thousand
to one but I retreat yet: prepare yourself
for a disappointment, for I am exceedingly
on the capricioso.
Oh! Heavens! I forgot to tell you, an old
match-making Lady in the neighborhood,
having taken it into her head I have a passion
for Harry Mandeville, and designing
to win my heart by persuading me to
what she supposes I have a mind to, recommended
him strongly to me last night for a
husband. I heard her with the utmost attention;
and, when she had finished her harangue,
blushed, looked down, hesitated,
and denied the thing with so pretty a confusion,
that she is gone away perfectly
convinced I am to be Lady Anne Mandeville,
and will tell it as a secret all round
the country. I am not sorry for this; as
it will take away all suspicion of what is
really intended, and secure that secrecy we
wish on the occasion. The good old Lady
went away infinitely delighted at being possessed
of a quality secret, which in the
country gives no little importance; pleased
too with her own penetration in discovering
what nobody else has suspected, I cannot
conceive a happier being than she is at
present.
I have just received from town the most
divine stomacher and sleeve-knots you ever
beheld: "An interesting event!" Yes,
creature, and what I can plead authority
for mentioning. Did not Mademoiselle,
Princess of the blood of France, grand-daughter of Henry the Great, write some
half a dozen volumes, to inform posterity,
that, on Saturday the 14th of November
1668, she wore her blue ribbands? Surely
you men think nothing of consequence but
sieges and battles: now, in my sentiments,
it would be happy for mankind, if all the
heroes, who make such havock amongst
their species merely because they have nothing
to do, would amuse themselves with
sorting suits of ribbands for their ladies.
I am in the sweetest good humour to-day
that can be imagined, so mild and gentle
you would be amazed; a little impatient
indeed for the evening, which is to bring
my charming Harry.
I have been asking my Lord how, with
Harry's sensibility, they contrived to keep
him so long free from attachments. In answer
to which, he gave me the enclosed
sketch of a letter, from Colonel Mandeville
to a Lady of his acquaintance at Rome,
which he said would give me a general notion
of the matter.
