The Captain insisted upon this re-perusal previously to what she had to
say to him, as he tells me. She complied, but with some difficulty; as
if she were afraid of being softened in my favour.
She lamented her unhappy situation; destitute of friends, and not knowing
whither to go, or what to do. She asked questions, sifting-questions,
about her uncle, about her family, and after what he knew of Mr.
Hickman's fruitless application in her favour.
He was well prepared in this particular; for I had shown him the letters
and extracts of letter of Miss Howe, which I had so happily come at.*
Might she be assured, she asked him, that her brother, with Singleton and
Solmes, were actually in quest of her?
* Vol. IV. Letter XLIV.
He averred that they were.
She asked, if he thought I had hopes of prevailing on her to go back to
town?
He was sure I had not.
Was he really of opinion that Lady Betty would pay her a visit?
He had no doubt of it.
But, Sir; but, Captain Tomlinson--[impatiently turning from him, and
again to him] I know not what to do--but were I your daughter, Sir--were
you my own father--Alas! Sir, I have neither father nor mother!
He turned from her and wiped his eyes.
O Sir! you have humanity! [She wept too.] There are some men in the
world, thank Heaven, that can be moved. O Sir, I have met with hard-
hearted men--in my own family too--or I could not have been so unhappy
as I am--but I make every body unhappy!