MR. LOVELACE
[IN CONTINUATION.]
The lady staid longer above than we wished; and I hoping that (lady-like)
she only waited for an invitation to return to us, desired the widow
Bevis, in the Captain's name, (who wanted to go to town,) to request the
favour of her company.
I cared not to send up either Miss Rawlins or Mrs. Moore on the errand,
lest my beloved should be in a communicative disposition; especially as
she had hinted at an appeal to Miss Rawlins; who, besides, has such an
unbounded curiosity.
Mrs. Bevis presently returned with an answer (winking and pinking at me)
that the lady would follow her down.
Miss Rawlins could not but offer to retire, as the others did. Her eyes,
however, intimated that she had rather stay. But they not being answered
as she seemed to wish, she went with the rest, but with slower feet; and
had hardly left the parlour, when the lady entered it by the other door;
a melancholy dignity in her person and air.
She sat down. Pray, Mr. Tomlinson, be seated.
He took his chair over against her. I stood behind her's that I might
give him agreed-upon signals, should there be occasion for them.
As thus--a wink of the left eye was to signify push that point, Captain.
A wink of the right, and a nod, was to indicate approbation of what he
had said.
My fore-finger held up, and biting my lip, get off of that, as fast as
possible.
A right-forward nod, and a frown, swear to it, Captain.
My whole spread hand, to take care not to say too much on that particular
subject.
A scowling brow, and a positive nod, was to bid him rise in temper.
And these motions I could make, even those with my hand, without holding
up my arm, or moving my wrist, had the women been there; as, when the
motions were agreed upon, I knew not but they would.
She hemmed--I was going to speak, to spare her supposed confusion: but
this lady never wants presence of mind, when presence of mind is
necessary either to her honour, or to that conscious dignity which
distinguishes her from all the women I ever knew.
I have been considering, said she, as well as I was able, of every thing
that has passed; and of all that has been said; and of my unhappy
situation. I mean no ill, I wish no ill, to any creature living, Mr.
Tomlinson. I have always delighted to draw favourable rather than
unfavourable conclusions; sometimes, as it has proved, for very bad
hearts. Censoriousness, whatever faults I have, is not naturally my
fault.--But, circumstanced as I am, treated as I have been, unworthily
treated, by a man who is full of contrivances, and glories in them--
Lovel. My dearest life!--But I will not interrupt you.
Cl. Thus treated, it becomes me to doubt--it concerns my honour to
doubt, to fear, to apprehend--your intervention, Sir, is so seasonable,
so kind, for this man--my uncle's expedient, the first of the kind he
ever, I believe, thought of! a plain, honest, good-minded man, as he is,
not affecting such expedients--your report in conformity to it--the
consequences of that report; the alarm taken by my brother; his rash
resolution upon it--the alarm taken by Lady Betty, and the rest of Mr.
Lovelace's relations--the sudden letters written to him upon it, which,
with your's, he showed me--all ceremony, among persons born observers of
ceremony, and entitled to value themselves upon their distinction,
dispensed with--all these things have happened so quick, and some of them
so seasonable--
Lovel. Lady Betty, you see, Madam, in her letter, dispenses with
punctilo, avowedly in compliment to you. Charlotte, in her's, professes
to do the same for the same reason. Good Heaven! that the respect
intended you by my relations, who, in every other case, are really
punctilious, should be thus construed! They were glad, Madam, to have an
opportunity to compliment you at my expense. Every one of my family
takes delight in rallying me. But their joy on the supposed occasion--
Cl. Do I doubt, Sir, that you have not something to say for any thing
you think fit to do? I am speaking to Captain Tomlinson, Sir. I will
you would be pleased to withdraw--at least to come from behind my chair.
And she looked at the Captain, observing, no doubt, that his eyes seemed
to take lessons from mine.
A fair match, by Jupiter!
The Captain was disconcerted. The dog had not had such a blush upon his
face for ten years before. I bit my lip for vexation: walked about the
room; but nevertheless took my post again; and blinked with my eyes to
the Captain, as a caution for him to take more care of his: and then
scouling with my brows, and giving the nod positive, I as good as said,
resent that, Captain.