Well, Jack, now are we upon another footing together. This dear
creature will not let me be good. She is now authorizing all my plots
by her own example.
Thou must be partial in the highest degree, if now thou blamest me for
resuming my former schemes, since in that case I shall but follow her
cue. No forced construction of her actions do I make on this occasion,
in order to justify a bad cause or a worse intention. A slight
pretence, indeed, served the wolf when he had a mind to quarrel with
the lamb; but this is not now my case.
For here (wouldst thou have thought it?) taking advantage of Dorcas’s
compassionate temper, and of some warm expressions which the
tender-hearted wench let fall against the cruelty of men, and wishing
to have it in her power to serve her, has she given her the following
note, signed by her maiden name: for she has thought fit, in positive
and plain words, to own to the pitying Dorcas that she is not married.