She was last night at a private ball--so private that not one man knew it till it was over, so that Mrs.Carr was disturbed at her lodgings by only a dozen ladies, who danced together without the least scandal.
"I fancy I shall not stay here much longer, though what will become of me I know not, for I have not, and fear never shall have, a will of my own." THE HON.MRS.HOWARD TO JOHN GAY.
August, 1723.
"After you have told me that you hate writing letters, it would be very ungrateful not to thank you for so many as you have written for me.
Acting contrary to one's inclinations, for the service of those one likes, is a strong proof of friendship; yet, as it is painful, it ought never to be exacted but in case of great necessity.

As such I look upon that correspondence in which I have engaged you.
"Perhaps you think I treat you very oddly, that while I own myself afraid of a man of wit [Lord Peterborough] and make that a pretence to ask your assistance, I can write to you myself without any concern; but do me justice and believe it is that I think it requires something more than wit to deserve esteem.

So it is less uneasy for me to write to you than to the other, for I should fancy I purchased the letters I received (though very witty) at too great an expense, if at the least hazard of having my real answers exposed.
"The enclosed[10] will discover that I did not make use of every argument with which you had furnished me; but I had a reason, of which I am not at this time disposed to make you a judge.

Conquest is the last thing a woman cares to resign; but I should be very sorry to have you in the desperate state of my _Knight-errant_.

No! I would spare you, out of self-interest, to secure to me those I have made by your assistance." THE HON.MRS.HOWARD TO JOHN GAY.
August 22nd [1723].
"I am very much pleased to find you are of my opinion.