Capt. I have nothing to offer, but what Mr. Lovelace is a party to, and
may hear, except one private word or two, which may be postponed to the
last.
Cl. Pray, Ladies, keep your seats.--Things are altered, Sir, since I
saw you. You can mention nothing that relates to me now, to which that
gentleman can be a party.
Capt. You surprise me, Madam! I am sorry to hear this!--Sorry for your
uncle's sake!--Sorry for your sake!--Sorry for Mr. Lovelace's sake!--And
yet I am sure he must have given greater occasion than he has mentioned
to me, or--
Lovel. Indeed, Captain,--indeed, Ladies, I have told you great part of
my story!--And what I told you of my offence was the truth:--what I
concealed of my story was only what I apprehended would, if known, cause
this dear creature to be thought more censorious than charitable.
Cl. Well, well, Sir, say what you please. Make me as black as you
please--make yourself as white as you can--I am not now in your power:
that consideration will comfort me for all.
Capt. God forbid that I should offer to plead in behalf of a crime,
that a woman of virtue and honour cannot forgive! But surely, surely,
Madam, this is going too far.
Cl. Do not blame me, Captain Tomlinson. I have a good opinion of you,
as my uncle's friend; but if you are Mr. Lovelace's friend, that is
another thing; for my interest and Mr. Lovelace's must now be for ever
separated.
Capt. One word with you, Madam, if you please--offering to retire.
Cl. You may say all that you please to say before these gentlewomen.--
Mr. Lovelace may have secrets--I have none:--you seem to think me faulty:
I should be glad that all the world knew my heart. Let my enemies sit in
judgment upon my actions; fairly scanned, I fear not the result; let them
even ask me my most secret thoughts, and, whether they make for me, or
against me, I will reveal them.
Capt. Noble Lady! who can say as you say?
The women held up their hands and eyes; each, as if she had said,--Not I.
No disorder here! said Miss Rawlins:--but, (judging by her own heart,) a
confounded deal of improbability, I believe she thought.
Finely said, to be sure, said the widow Bevis, shrugging her shoulders.
Mrs. Moore sighed.
Jack Belford, thought I, knows all mine; and in this I am more ingenuous
than any of the three, and a fit match for this paragon.
Cl. How Mr. Lovelace has found me out here I cannot tell: but such mean
devices, such artful, such worse than Waltham disguises put on, to
obtrude himself into my company; such bold, such shocking untruths--