Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 13.djvu/248

236. I depended upon your meeting often; and what is more, upon being sometimes the subject of your conversation. I am glad to hear of her brother's promotion: he very well deserves good fortune; he knows how to enjoy it handsomely, and scorns to court it meanly. I think I have made you a country visit: if I have not quite tired you, I hope you will soon challenge another: I know you pay me a great compliment in writing; and, if I was very well bred, I ought not to insist upon your doing any thing that may give you trouble; but I only consider my own advantage, and cannot give up a correspondence I value so much. I am, sir, your most obliged and humble servant,

M. PENDARVES.

LONDON, NOV. 13, 1735.

HONESTLY confess I was honoured with yours above a month ago, which ought in all love and reason to have been answered a great while since: but I know your sauciness, as well as you know my niece's; with this difference, that as age is to mend hers, it makes yours grow worse: and the answer to mine had been, — Oh! she can give a quick reply to mine! Now the duke and duchess are here, she wants to know more frequently how and what they do.

I can tell you no story of the ring (which you want to know) but that it came to my hands through proper windings and turnings from an earl of  borow;