Apologize for your rude Behaviour, said the Marquis; and desire him, in the most obliging manner you can, to return.
Arabella, seeing there was a necessity for obeying, took up the Pen, and wrote the following Billet:
The unfortunate Arabella, to the most ungenerous
Glanville.
It is not by the Power I have over you, that I command you to return, for I disclaim any Empire over so unworthy a Subject; but, since it is my Father's Pleasure I should invite you back, I must let you know, that I repeal your Banishment, and expect you will immediately return with the Messenger who brings this; however, spare your Acknowlegements, know, that it is in Obedience to my Father's absolute Commands, that you receive this Mandate from
Arabella.
Having finished this Billet, she gave it to the
Marquis to read; who, finding a great deal of
his own Haughtiness of Temper in it, could not
resolve to check her for a Disposition so like his
own: Yet he told her, her Stile was very uncommon:
And pray, added he, smiling, who taught
you to superscribe your Letters thus, "The unfortunate
Arabella, to the most ungenerous
Glanville?" Why, Bella, this Superscription is
wholly calculated for the Bearer's Information:
But come, alter it immediately; for I don't
choose my Messenger should know, that you