“Madam,—
“It is the hardest thing in the world to be in love, and yet attend business. As for me, all who speak to me find me out, and I must lock myself up, or other people will do it for me.
“A gentleman asked me this morning, ‘What news from Lisbon?’ and I answered, ‘She is exquisitely handsome.’ Another desired to know ‘when I had last been at Hampton Court?’ I replied, ‘It will be on Tuesday come se'nnight.’ Pr'ythee allow me at least to kiss your hand before that day, that my mind may be in some composure. O Love!
“A thousand torments dwell about thee,
Yet who could live, to live without thee?
“Methinks I could write a volume to you; but all the language on earth would fail in saying how much, and with what disinterested passion,
“I am ever yours,
“Rich. Steele.”
Two days after this, he is found expounding his circumstances and prospects to the young lady's mamma. He dates from “Lord Sunderland's office, Whitehall”; and states his clear income at 1,025l. per annum. “I promise myself,” says he, “the pleasure of an industrious and virtuous life, in studying to do things agreeable to you.”
They were married according to the most probable conjectures about the 7th inst. There are traces of a tiff about the middle of the next month; she being prudish and fidgety, as he was impassioned and reckless. General progress, however, may be seen from the following notes. The “house in Bury Street, St. James's”, was now taken.
TO MRS. STEELE.
“Oct. 16, 1707.