To Colonel Rivers, Bellfield, Rutland.
Nov. 4.
Sir William Verville is come back to town; I was with him this
morning; he desires to see the child; he tells me, his brother, in his
last moments, mentioned this story in all the agony of remorse, and
begged him to provide for the little innocent, if to be found; that he
had made many enquiries, but hitherto in vain; and that he thought
himself happy in the discovery.
He talks of settling three thousand pounds on the child, and taking
the care of educating him into his own hands.
I hinted at some little provision for the amiable girl who had saved
him from perishing, and had the pleasure to find Sir William listen to
me with attention.
I am sorry it is not possible for me to be at your masquerade; but
my affair is just at the crisis: Bell expects a particular account of
it from Mrs. Rivers, and desires to be immediately in the secret of the
ladies dresses, though you are not: she begs you will send your fair
cottager and little charge to us, and we will take care to introduce
them properly to Sir William.