And I have reason to believe so too--since if you stay, you will
inevitably be Solmes's wife.
Not so, interrupted I--I have obliged them in one point. They will be
in good-humour with me. I shall gain time at least. I am sure I shall. I
have several ways to gain time.
And what, Madam, will gaining time do? It is plain you have not a
hope beyond that--it is plain you have not, by putting all upon that
precarious issue. O my dearest, dearest life, let me beseech you not
to run a risque of this consequence. I can convince you that it will be
more than a risque if you go back, that you will on Wednesday next be
Solmes's wife.--Prevent, therefore, now that it is in your power to
prevent, the fatal mischief that will follow such a dreadful certainty.
While I have any room for hope, it concerns your honour, Mr. Lovelace,
as well as mine, (if you have the value for me you pretend, and wish me
to believe you,) that my conduct in this great point should justify my
prudence.
Your prudence, Madam! When has that been questionable? Yet what stead
has either your prudence or your duty stood you in, with people so
strangely determined?
And then he pathetically enumerated the different instances of the harsh
treatment I had met with; imputing all to the malice and caprice of a
brother, who set every body against him: and insisting, that I had no
other way to bring about a reconciliation with my father and uncles,
than by putting myself out of the power of my brother's inveterate
malice.
Your brother's whole reliance, proceeded he, has been upon your easiness
to bear his insults. Your whole family will seek to you, when you have
freed yourself from this disgraceful oppression. When they know you are
with those who can and will right you, they will give up to you your own
estate. Why then, putting his arms around me, and again drawing me
with a gentle force after him, do you hesitate a moment?--Now is the
time--Fly with me, then, I beseech you, my dearest creature! Trust
your persecuted adorer. Have we not suffered in the same cause? If any
imputations are cast upon you, give me the honour (as I shall be found
to deserve it) to call you mine; and, when you are so, shall I not be
able to protect both your person and character?
Urge me no more, Mr. Lovelace, I conjure you. You yourself have given
me a hint, which I will speak plainer to, than prudence, perhaps, on any
other occasion, would allow. I am convinced, that Wednesday next (if I
had time I would give you my reasons) is not intended to be the day we
had both so much dreaded: and if after that day shall be over, I find my
friends determined in Mr. Solmes's favour, I will then contrive some
way to meet you with Miss Howe, who is not your enemy: and when the
solemnity has passed, I shall think that step a duty, which till then
will be criminal to take: since now my father's authority is unimpeached
by any greater.