MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.
SAT NIGHT, JUNE 10.
What will be the issue of all my plots and contrivances, devil take me if
I am able to divine. But I will not, as Lord M. would say, forestall my
own market.
At four, the appointed hour, I sent up, to desire admittance in the
Captain's name and my own.
She would wait upon the Captain presently; [not upon me!] and in the
parlour, if it were not engaged.
The dining-room being mine, perhaps that was the reason of her naming the
parlour--mighty nice again, if so! No good sign for me, thought I, this
stiff punctilio.
In the parlour, with me and the Captain, were Mrs. Moore, Miss Rawlins,
and Mrs. Bevis.
The women said, they would withdraw when the lady came down.
Lovel. Not, except she chooses you should, Ladies.--People who are so
much above-board as I am, need not make secrets of any of their affairs.
Besides, you three ladies are now acquainted with all our concerns.
Capt. I have some things to say to your lady, that perhaps she would
not herself choose that any body should hear; not even you, Mr. Lovelace,
as you and her family are not upon such a good foot of understanding as
were to be wished.
Lovel. Well, well, Captain, I must submit. Give us a sign to withdraw,
and we will withdraw.
It was better that the exclusion of the women should come from him, than
from me.
Capt. I will bow, and wave my hand, thus--when I wish to be alone with
the lady. Her uncle dotes upon her. I hope, Mr. Lovelace, you will not
make a reconciliation more difficult, for the earnestness which my dear
friend shows to bring it to bear. But indeed I must tell you, as I told
you more than once before, that I am afraid you have made lighter of the
occasion of this misunderstanding to me, than it ought to have been made.
Lovel. I hope, Captain Tomlinson, you do not question my veracity!
Capt. I beg your pardon, Mr. Lovelace--but those things which we men
may think lightly of, may not be light to a woman of delicacy.--And then,
if you have bound yourself by a vow, you ought--
Miss Rawlins bridling, her lips closed, (but her mouth stretched to a
smile of approbation, the longer for not buttoning,) tacitly showed
herself pleased with the Captain for his delicacy.
Mrs. Moore could speak--Very true, however, was all she said, with a
motion of her head that expressed the bow-approbatory.
For my part, said the jolly widow, staring with eyes as big as eggs, I
know what I know.--But man and wife are man and wife; or they are not
man and wife.--I have no notion of standing upon such niceties.
But here she comes! cried one, hearing her chamber-door open--Here she
comes! another, hearing it shut after her--And down dropt the angel among
us.
We all stood up, bowing and courtesying, and could not help it; for she
entered with such an air as commanded all our reverence. Yet the Captain
looked plaguy grave.
Cl. Pray keep your seats, Ladies--Pray do not go, [for they made offers
to withdraw; yet Miss Rawlins would have burst had she been suffered to
retire.] Before this time you have all heard my story, I make no doubt--
pray keep your seats--at least all Mr. Lovelace's.
A very saucy and whimsical beginning, thought I.
Captain Tomlinson, your servant, addressing herself to him with
inimitable dignity. I hope you did not take amiss my declining your
visit yesterday. I was really incapable of talking upon any subject that
required attention.
Capt. I am glad to see you better now, Madam. I hope I do.
Cl. Indeed I am not well. I would not have excused myself from
attending you some hours ago, but in hopes I should have been better. I
beg your pardon, Sir, for the trouble I have given you; and shall the
rather expect it, as this day will, I hope, conclude it all.
Thus set; thus determined; thought I,--yet to have slept upon it!--But,
as what she said was capable of a good, as well as a bad, construction, I
would not put an unfavourable one upon it.
Lovel. The Captain was sorry, my dear, he did not offer his attendance
the moment he arrived yesterday. He was afraid that you took it amiss
that he did not.
Cl. Perhaps I thought that my uncle's friend might have wished to see
me as soon as he came, [how we stared!]--But, Sir, [to me,] it might be
convenient to you to detain him.
The devil, thought I!--So there really was resentment as well as head-
ache, as my good friend Mrs. Bevis observed, in her refusing to see the
honest gentleman.
Capt. You would detain me, Mr. Lovelace--I was for paying my respects
to the lady the moment I came--
Cl. Well, Sir, [interrupting him,] to wave this; for I would not be
thought captious--if you have not suffered inconvenience, in being
obliged to come again, I shall be easy.
Capt. [Half disconcerted.] A little inconvenience, I can't say but I
have suffered. I have, indeed, too many affairs upon my hands; but the
desire I have to serve you and Mr. Lovelace, as well as to oblige my dear
friend, your uncle Harlowe, make great inconveniencies but small ones.
Cl. You are very obliging, Sir.--Here is a great alteration since you
parted with us last.
Capt. A great one indeed, Madam! I was very much surprised at it, on
Thursday evening, when Mr. Lovelace conducted me to your lodgings, where
we hoped to find you.
Cl. Have you any thing to say to me, Sir, from my uncle himself, that
requires my private ear!--Don't go, Ladies, [for the women stood up, and
offered to withdraw,]--if Mr. Lovelace stays, I am sure you may.