 the O'Dermots, in as lofty strains as the Grecian poet bestowed upon that of Achilles and Agamemnon.—Be that as it may, I am persuaded that those ditties, which are framed in honour of their ancestors, serve to inflame the

pride of the descendants, and make them prefer indigence, in a genteel profession, to affluence in a meaner rank of life.—This may appear from the destination of the younger sons, who are devoted to poverty, and can never be of use to their country.—I heartily pity their misguided youth, and think it amazing how such a family of gentlemen, even in the cheapest country, can be provided with food and raiment out of so small an income as two hundred pounds a year!
I have purposely deferred mentioning the most material subject of your letter, the unhappiness of Lady Desmond, because I am by no means certain of the cause.—A trifling circumstance has convinced me that it does not arise from any pecuniary difficulty; nay, I have reason to suppose Sir James Desmond must be rather in affluence, though I hate gossiping,

I think you have a right to be informed even of this trivial matter, lest you should think me tardy in the execution of your generous intentions towards our dear Emma. As I have received a very considerable addition to my fortune, by the death of my grandfather, I meant to surprise my Lucy, by presenting her with a set of jewels which should correspond with the ear-rings you gave her, and called upon Bellis in Pall-Mall to bespeak them.—He shewed me many beautiful ornaments, and amongst the rest a diamond sprig for a lady's hair, that was both rich and elegant. I enquired the price, which he told me was four hundred guineas. I would have paid for it directly, but he would not part with it, as he said it was bespoke by Sir James Desmond, whom he expected to call for it every moment, as he had expressed the utmost impatience

to have it finished.—I immediately directed another to be made exactly like it, and felt myself extremely pleased with the information I had received, upon a double account, both with regard to the state of Sir James's finances and his affections.
Luckily I did not mention this matter to Lucy, as I meant to keep my transaction with Bellis a secret till my design was complete. In the evening I proposed our going to Sir James Desmond's, Lucy, with her usual condescension, complied, yet I could perceive a something more like reluctance, in her manner of
