Bolingbroke thinks that the favour received laid Pope under an obligation, but evidently does not think that it implied a contract.

Mr.Dilke has further pointed out that there are many touches in the character which distinctly apply to the Duchess of Buckingham, with whom Pope had certainly quarrelled, and which will not apply to the Duchess of Marlborough, who had undoubtedly made friends with him during the last years of his life.

Walpole again tells a story, partly confirmed by Warton, that Pope had shown the character to each duchess (Warton says only to Marlborough), saying that it was meant for the other.

The Duchess of Buckingham, he says, believed him; the other had more sense and paid him 1000_l._ to suppress it.

Walpole is no trustworthy authority; but the coincidence implies at least that such a story was soon current.
The most probable solution must conform to these data.