MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.
FRIDAY NIGHT, MAY 19.
When I have opened my view to thee so amply as I have done in my former
letters; and have told thee, that my principal design is but to bring
virtue to a trial, that, if virtue, it need not be afraid of; and that
the reward of it will be marriage (that is to say, if, after I have
carried my point, I cannot prevail upon her to live with me the life of
honour;* for that thou knowest is the wish of my heart); I am amazed at
the repetition of thy wambling nonsense.
* See Vol. III. Letter XVIII.
I am of opinion with thee, that some time hence, when I am grown wiser, I
shall conclude, that there is nothing but vanity, conceit, and nonsense,
in my present wild schemes. But what is this saying, but that I must
be first wiser?