Letter XCIII

Summary

His Reply, urgently inforcing, but not compelling, her Compliance with his Desire.

Dear Polly,

I am far from taking amiss what you have written, in Answer to my Recommendation ofmy worthy Friend Mr. Rowe; and I amsure, if I was to shew him your Letter, he would never permit you to be urged more on this Head. But, my Dear, I own my Wishes and my Heart are engaged in his, shall I say, or in your own Favour? And I would hope, that notwithstanding all you have written, your good Sense, and that Discretion for which you have been hitherto so deservedly noted, may, on mature Reflection, enable you to overcome the Objection that would be insuperable to lighter and airier Minds of your Sex.

Such is the Profligateness of the Generality of young Fellows of the present Age, that I own I look into the World with Affrightment, at the Risques which a virtuous young Woman has to encounter with on a Change of Condition, which makes me dwell upon the Point with the greater Earnestness. And you know, my Dear, I can have no Motive but your Good.

Then, Child, consider the Reputation this Match, to all who know Mr. Rowe's Worth, will bring to your Prudence, and even to your Sex. For it is as much Credit to a young Lady to marry a worthy Man, older than herself, as it is Discredit for an old Woman to marry a young Man. Does my Polly take my Meaning? The Case is plain. Besides, no-body thinks Ten or Twelve Years Difference in a Man's Age any thing out of the way. So, my Dear, it is not Twenty Years Odds; it is only Ten at most.

Then, again, he is a good-natur’d Man; there's a great deal in that, you know.

To be sure,my Dear, it is my good Opinion of your Prudence, thatmakes me endeavour to persuade you to this. And I could be glad, methinks, to find, that I have not too high a Notion of your Discretion, in the Preference I am willing to give it to that of all the young Ladies I know.