280 THE WENTWORTII PAPERS.
is nothing will improve her so much as keeping the best company. To morrow here is an opera for Nicolina's benifit, I believe all the town will be there ; Lady Dartmouth and I goe together, and Mrs. Hill, Lady Massam's sister. I was to see Lady Massam two days agoe, and she was not at home ; but she cam to see me the next day, which for her was very much, for she has disoblig'd a great many this winter by not paying there visets, tho' she has all this winter when she was
well com very often to sec me Sister Wentworth goes
to the liath next month with Mrs. Cornish, All the Twitten- ham ladies that are in town have been to see me, except Lady Humble, who can't bare the sight of me to think I have got what she so much admired. I have asked Lady
VV a thousand times to carry me to see [her], but she
says not for ten pound, for she is a mighty good woman and she wou'd not have her laughed at for the world. I must tell you my love to Lady Wentworth every day increases, and I may ventur to say I believe hers to me dos not decrease, for 'tis imposible for her to be fonder of me then she is ; nor is it posible for me to be so fond of any thing as I am of your dear .self Adieu !
St. James's Sqv are, Marc/i 25, 1712. .... I hear the Duke of Argile makes the greatest pro- distations of friendshipe for you that ever was. My father is layd up with the gout: I believe I shall jumble my guts out between this and Russell street, for since my fathere has been ill I hav gon every day. Here is a new play which has taken extremly call'd the distrest mothere. I had not seen it tell last night for I dont much love Traidys (sic), but I think it's a very good won. Lady Massam is very ill and her son is like to dye. 'Tis said the Duchesses of Somerset and Shrews- bery is at great difference with won anothere. I still am told you are to be Master of the Horse. I wish the Queen would make me a Lady of the Bedchamber. I wonder Lady Scar- borough keepes her place, for Lord Scarborough oposes the Queen in every thing that's in his power with all the voiolence in the world I fancy by this time you'll think I never
�� �
