WEDNESDAY NOON, MARCH 29
I have , till very lately , been praised for mine ; but it has always been by those who never gave me opportunity to return the compliment to them . Some people have acted , as if they thought forbearance on one side absolutely necessary for them and me to be upon good terms together ; and in this case have ever taken care rather to owe that obligation than to lay it . You have hinted to me , that resentment is not natural to my temper , and that therefore it must soon subside : it may be so with respect to my relations ; but not to Mr. Lovelace , I assure you . WEDNESDAY NOON , MARCH 29 . We can not always answer for what we can do : but to convince you , that I can keep my above resolution , with regard to Mr. Lovelace , angry as my letter is , and three hours since it was written , I assure you , that I repent it not ; nor will soften it , although I find it is not taken away . And yet I hardly ever before did any thing in anger , that I did not repent in half an hour ; and question myself in less that that time , whether I was right or wrong . In this respite till Tuesday , I have a little time to look about me , as I may say , and to consider of what I have to do , and can do .