Dear Sir,
I can now return your joy, for the joy you have given me, as well as my
dear friend Mr. Harlowe, in the news of his beloved niece’s happy
recovery; for he is determined to comply with her wishes and your’s,
and to give her to you with his own hand.
As the ceremony has been necessarily delayed by reason of her illness,
and as Mr. Harlowe’s birth-day is on Thursday the 29th of this instant
June, when he enters into the seventy-fourth year of his age; and as
time may be wanted to complete the dear lady’s recovery; he is very
desirous that the marriage shall be solemnized upon it; that he may
afterwards have double joy on that day to the end of his life.
For this purpose he intends to set out privately, so as to be at
Kentish-town on Wednesday se’nnight in the evening.
All the family used, he says, to meet to celebrate it with him; but as
they are at present in too unhappy a situation for that, he will give
out, that, not being able to bear the day at home, he has resolved to
be absent for two or three days.
He will set out on horseback, attended only with one trusty servant,
for the greater privacy. He will be at the most creditable-looking
public house there, expecting you both next morning, if he hear nothing
from me to prevent him. And he will go to town with you after the
ceremony is performed, in the coach he supposes you will come in.
He is very desirous that I should be present on the occasion. But this
I have promised him, at his request, that I will be up before the day,
in order to see the settlements executed, and every thing properly
prepared.
He is very glad you have the license ready.
He speaks very kindly of you, Mr. Lovelace; and says, that, if any of
the family stand out after he has seen the ceremony performed, he will
separate from them, and unite himself to his dear niece and her
interests.
I owned to you, when in town last, that I took slight notice to my dear
friend of the misunderstanding between you and his niece; and that I
did this, for fear the lady should have shown any little discontent in
his presence, had I been able to prevail upon him to go up in person,
as then was doubtful. But I hope nothing of that discontent remains
now.
My absence, when your messenger came, must excuse me for not writing by
him.
Be pleased to make my most respectful compliments acceptable to the
admirable lady, and believe me to be
Your most faithful and obedient servant, ANTONY TOMLINSON.
This letter I sealed, and broke open. It was brought, thou mayest
suppose, by a particular messenger; the seal such a one as the writer
need be ashamed of. I took care to inquire after the Captain’s health,
in my beloved’s hearing; and it is now ready to be produced as a
pacifier, according as she shall take on or resent, if the two
metamorphoses happen pursuant to my wonderful dream; as, having great
faith in dreams, I dare say they will.—I think it will not be amiss, in
changing my clothes, to have this letter of the worthy Captain lie in
my beloved’s way.