I have just now received a fresh piece of intelligence from my agent,
honest Joseph Leman. Thou knowest the history of poor Miss Betterton of
Nottingham. James Harlowe is plotting to revive the resentments of her
family against me. The Harlowes took great pains, some time ago, to
endeavour to get to the bottom of that story. But now the foolish devils
are resolved to do something in it, if they can. My head is working to
make this booby 'squire a plotter, and a clever fellow, in order to turn
his plots to my advantage, supposing his sister shall aim to keep me
at arm's length when in town, and to send me from her. But I will, in
proper time, let thee see Joseph's letter, and what I shall answer to
it.* To know in time a designed mischief, is, with me, to disappoint it,
and to turn it upon the contriver's head.
* See Letters XLVII., XLVIII. of this volume.
Joseph is plaguy squeamish again; but I know he only intends by his
qualms to swell his merits with me. O Belford! Belford! what a vile
corruptible rogue, whether in poor or rich, is human nature!