paid much court to me, but as I look upon him to be in the plot against you, I have taken very little notice of him. Two or three times he has remarked, 'how very melancholy Mr. Ferdinand looked!'—I thought something might be gathered from him of his master's intentions towards your family, so yesterday I threw myself in his way after I had left you; and your Lady passing into the garden, I observed how handsome she was, and what beautiful children Master and Miss were; adding, 'that it was a pity but some settlement was made for them, lest the Count should marry, and his Lady not happen to like his brother's family."—As to marriage (said he) I believe my master don't think of that, and I dare say he will always be kind to Madame Claudina, if she is civil to him, so it must be her own fault if she loses his favour. As to settlement, Mr. Ernest, master knows better than that, make folks independent, and you make them saucy and ungrateful, whilst they are obliged to you they will be humble, tho'
