I am still well pleased with Mr. Lovelace's behaviour. We have had a
good deal of serious discourse together. The man has really just and
good notions. He confesses how much he is pleased with this day, and
hopes for many such. Nevertheless, he ingenuously warned me, that his
unlucky vivacity might return: but, he doubted not, that he should be
fixed at last by my example and conversation.
He has given me an entertaining account of the four gentlemen he is to
meet to-morrow night.--Entertaining, I mean for his humourous description
of their persons, manners, &c. but such a description as is far from
being to their praise. Yet he seemed rather to design to divert my
melancholy by it than to degrade them. I think at bottom, my dear, that
he must be a good-natured man; but that he was spoiled young, for want
of check or controul.
I cannot but call this, my circumstances considered, an happy day to the
end of it. Indeed, my dear, I think I could prefer him to all the men I
ever knew, were he but to be always what he has been this day. You see
how ready I am to own all you have charged me with, when I find myself
out. It is a difficult thing, I believe, sometimes, for a young creature
that is able to deliberate with herself, to know when she loves, or when
she hates: but I am resolved, as much as possible, to be determined both
in my hatred and love by actions, as they make the man worthy or unworthy.
[She dates again Monday, and declares herself highly displeased at Miss
Partington's being introduced to her: and still more for being obliged
to promise to be present at Mr. Lovelace's collation. She foresees,
she says, a murder'd evening.]