Enough, Sir, familiarly nodding his head, to show he took me. And away
went the villain--into the parlour, to the women, I.
In a quarter of an hour came old Grimes on horseback, waving to his
saddle-bow, now on this side, now on that; his head, at others, joining
to that of his more sober beast.
It looked very well to the women that I made no effort to speak to old
Grimes, (though I wished, before them, that I knew the contents of what
he brought;) but, on the contrary, desired that they would instantly let
my spouse know that her messenger was returned.
Down she flew, violently as she had the head-ache!
O how I prayed for an opportunity to be revenged of her for the
ungrateful trouble she had given to her uncle's friend!
She took the letter from old Grimes with her own hands, and retired to an
inner parlour to read it.
She presently came out again to the fellow, who had much ado to sit his
horse--Here is your money, friend.--I thought you long: but what shall I
do to get somebody to go to town immediately for me? I see you cannot.
Old Grimes took his money, let fall his hat in doffing it; had it given
him, and rode away; his eyes isinglass, and set in his head, as I saw
through the window, and in a manner speechless--all his language hiccup.
My dog needed not to have gone so deep with this tough old Grimes. But
the rascal was in his kingdom with him.
The lady applied to Mrs. Moore; she mattered not the price. Could a man
and horse be engaged for her?--Only to go for a letter left for her, at
one Mr. Wilson's, in Pall-mall.
A poor neighbour was hired--a horse procured for him--he had his
directions.
In vain did I endeavour to engaged my beloved, when she was below. Her
head-ache, I suppose, returned.--She, like the rest of her sex, can be
ill or well when she pleases.
I see her drift, thought I; it is to have all her lights from Miss Howe
before she resolves, and to take her measures accordingly.
Up she went expressing great impatience about the letter she had sent
for; and desired Mrs. Moore to let her know if I offered to send any one
of my servants to town--to get at the letter, I suppose, was her fear;
but she might have been quite easy on that head; and yet, perhaps, would
not, had she known that the worthy Captain Tomlinson, (who will be in
town before her messenger,) will leave there the important letter, which
I hope will help to pacify her, and reconcile her to me.
O Jack, Jack! thinkest thou that I will take all this roguish pains, and
be so often called villain for nothing?
But yet, is it not taking pains to come at the finest creature in the
world, not for a transitory moment only, but for one of our lives! The
struggle only, Whether I am to have her in my own way, or in her's?
But now I know thou wilt be frightened out of thy wits for me--What,
Lovelace! wouldest thou let her have a letter that will inevitably blow
thee up; and blow up the mother, and all her nymphs!--yet not intend to
reform, nor intend to marry?
Patience, puppy!--Canst thou not trust thy master?