MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.
MONDAY AFTERNOON.
A letter received from the worthy Captain Tomlinson has introduced me
into the presence of my charmer sooner than perhaps I should otherwise
have been admitted.
Sullen her brow, at her first entrance into the dining-room. But I took
no notice of what had passed, and her anger of itself subsided.
'The Captain, after letting me know that he chose not to write till he
had promised the draught of the settlements, acquaint me, that his friend
Mr. John Harlowe, in their first conference (which was held as soon as he
got down) was extremely surprised, and even grieved (as he feared he
would be) to hear that we were not married. The world, he said, who knew
my character, would be very censorious, were it owned, that we had lived
so long together unmarried in the same lodgings; although our marriage
were now to be ever so publicly celebrated.
'His nephew James, he was sure, would make a great handle of it against
any motion that might be made towards a reconciliation; and with the
greater success, as there was not a family in the kingdom more jealous of
their honour than theirs.'
This is true of the Harlowes, Jack: they have been called The proud
Harlowes: and I have ever found, that all young honour is supercilious
and touchy.
But seest thou not how right I was in my endeavour to persuade my fair-
one to allow her uncle's friend to think us married; especially as he
came prepared to believe it; and as her uncle hoped it was so?--But
nothing on earth is so perverse as a woman, when she is set upon carrying
a point, and has a meek man, or one who loves his peace, to deal with.
My beloved was vexed. She pulled out her handkerchief: but was more
inclined to blame me than herself.
Had you kept your word, Mr. Lovelace, and left me when we came to
town--And there she stopt; for she knew, that it was her own fault that
we were not married before we left the country; and how could I leave her
afterwards, while her brother was plotting to carry her off by violence?
Nor has this brother yet given over his machinations.
For, as the Captain proceeds, 'Mr. John Harlowe owned to him (but in
confidence) that his nephew is at this time busied in endeavouring to
find out where we are; being assured (as I am not to be heard of at any
of my relations, or at my usual lodgings) that we are together. And that
we are not married is plain, as he will have it, from Mr. Hickman's
application so lately made to her uncle; and which was seconded by Mrs.
Norton to her mother. And her brother cannot bear that I should enjoy
such a triumph unmolested.'
A profound sigh, and the handkerchief again lifted to the eye. But did
not the sweet soul deserve this turn upon her, for feloniously resolving
to rob me of herself, had the application made by Hickman succeeded?