(We drank your health, and Mr. Griffith is your servant.)
One more will be sufficient, especially as it seems to show that Mrs.
Steele was by no means pleased to have messengers knocking at her door
at all hours of the night with letters from the errant Richard.
June 7, 1708.
Dear Prue:
I enclose you a guinea for your pocket. I dine with Lord Halifax.
I wish I knew how to court you into good humor, for two or three
quarrels will dispatch me quite. If you have any love for me,
believe I am always pursuing our mutual good. Pray consider that all
my little fortune is to (be) settled this month, and that I have
inadvertently made myself liable to impatient people, who take all
advantages. If you have (not) patience, I shall transact my business
rashly, and lose a very great sum to quicken the time of your being
rid of all people you do not like. Yours ever,