MR. LOVELACE
[IN CONTINUATION.]
I went up to my new-taken apartment, and fell to writing in character, as
usual. I thought I had made good my quarters, but the cruel creature,
understanding that I intended to take up my lodgings there, declared with
so much violence against it, that I was obliged to submit, and to accept
of another lodging, about twelve doors off, which Mrs. Moore recommended.
And all the advantage I could obtain was, that Will., unknown to my
spouse, and for fear of a freak, should lie in the house.
Mrs. Moore, indeed, was unwilling to disoblige either of us. But Miss
Rawlins was of opinion, that nothing more ought to be allowed me: and yet
Mrs. Moore owned, that the refusal was a strange piece of tyranny to a
husband, if I were a husband.
I had a good mind to make Miss Rawlins smart for it. Come and see Miss
Rawlins, Jack.--If thou likest her, I'll get her for thee with a
wet-finger, as the saying is!
The widow Bevis indeed stickled hard for me. [An innocent, or injured
man, will have friends every where.] She said, that to bear much with
some wives, was to be obliged to bear more; and I reflected, with a sigh,
that tame spirits must always be imposed upon. And then, in my heart, I
renewed my vows of revenge upon this haughty and perverse beauty.
The second fellow came back from town about nine o'clock, with Miss
Howe's letter of Wednesday last. 'Collins, it seems, when he left it,
had desired, that it might be safely and speedily delivered into Miss
Laetitia Beaumont's own hands. But Wilson, understanding that neither
she nor I were in town, [he could not know of our difference thou must
think,] resolved to take care of it till our return, in order to give it
into one of our own hands; and now delivered it to her messenger.'
This was told her. Wilson, I doubt not, is in her favour upon it.
She took the letter with great eagerness; opened it in a hurry, [am glad
she did; yet, I believe, all was right,] before Mrs. Moore and Mrs.
Bevis, [Miss Rawlins was gone home;] and said, she would not for the
world that I should have had that letter, for the sake of her dear friend
the writer, who had written to her very uneasily about it.
Her dear friend! repeated Mrs. Bevis, when she told me this:--such
mischief-makers are always deemed dear friends till they are found out!
The widow says that I am the finest gentleman she ever beheld.