Never was there such a pair of scribbling lovers as we;--yet perhaps
whom it so much concerns to keep from each other what each writes. She
won't have any thing else to do. I would, if she'd let me. I am not
reformed enough for a husband.--Patience is a virtue, Lord M. says. Slow
and sure, is another of his sentences. If I had not a great deal of that
virtue, I should not have waited the Harlowes own time of ripening into
execution my plots upon themselves and upon their goddess daughter.
My beloved has been writing to her saucy friend, I believe, all that has
befallen her, and what has passed between us hitherto. She will possibly
have fine subjects for her pen, if she be as minute as I am.
I would not be so barbarous as to permit old Antony to set Mrs. Howe
against her, did I not dread the consequences of the correspondence
between the two young ladies. So lively the one, so vigilant, so prudent
both, who would not wish to outwit such girls, and to be able to twirl
them round his finger?
My charmer has written to her sister for her clothes, for some gold, and
for some of her books. What books can tell her more than she knows? But
I can. So she had better study me.
She may write. She must be obliged to me at last, with all her pride.
Miss Howe indeed will be ready enough to supply her; but I question,
whether she can do it without her mother, who is as covetous as the
grave. And my agent's agent, old Antony, has already given the mother a
hint which will make her jealous of pecuniaries.
Besides, if Miss Howe has money by her, I can put her mother upon
borrowing it of her: nor blame me, Jack, for contrivances that have
their foundation in generosity. Thou knowest my spirit; and that I
should be proud to lay an obligation upon my charmer to the amount of
half, nay, to the whole of my estate. Lord M. has more for me than I
can ever wish for. My predominant passion is girl, not gold; nor value I
this, but as it helps me to that, and gives me independence.
I was forced to put it into the sweet novice's head, as well for my sake
as for hers (lest we should be traceable by her direction) whither to
direct the sending of her clothes, if they incline to do her that small
piece of justice.
If they do I shall begin to dread a reconciliation; and must be forced
to muse for a contrivance or two to prevent it, and to avoid mischief.
For that (as I have told honest Joseph Leman) is a great point with me.
Thou wilt think me a sad fellow, I doubt. But are not all rakes sad
fellows?--And art not thou, to thy little power, as bad as any? If thou
dost all that's in thy head and in thy heart to do, thou art worse than
I; for I do not, I assure you.
I proposed, and she consented, that her clothes, or whatever else her
relations should think fit to send her, should be directed to thy cousin
Osgood's. Let a special messenger, at my charge, bring me any letter, or
portable parcel, that shall come. If not portable, give me notice of it.
But thou'lt have no trouble of this sort from her relations, I dare be
sworn. And in this assurance, I will leave them, I think, to act upon
their own heads. A man would have no more to answer for than needs must.
But one thing, while I think of it; which is of great importance to be
attended to--You must hereafter write to me in character, as I shall do
to you. It would be a confounded thing to be blown up by a train of
my own laying. And who knows what opportunities a man in love may have
against himself? In changing a coat or waistcoat, something might be
forgotten. I once suffered that way. Then for the sex's curiosity, it
is but remembering, in order to guard against it, that the name of their
common mother was Eve.
Another thing remember; I have changed my name: changed it without an
act of parliament. 'Robert Huntingford' it is now. Continue Esquire.
It is a respectable addition, although every sorry fellow assumes it,
almost to the banishment of the usual traveling one of Captain. 'To be
left till called for, at the post-house at Hertford.'
Upon naming thee, she asked thy character. I gave thee a better than
thou deservest, in order to do credit to myself. Yet I told her, that
thou wert an awkward fellow; and this to do credit to thee, that she may
not, if ever she be to see thee, expect a cleverer man than she'll find.
Yet thy apparent awkwardness befriends thee not a little: for wert thou
a sightly mortal, people would discover nothing extraordinary in
thee, when they conversed with thee: whereas, seeing a bear, they are
surprised to find in thee any thing that is like a man. Felicitate
thyself then upon thy defects; which are evidently thy principal
perfections; and which occasion thee a distinction which otherwise thou
wouldst never have.
The lodgings we are in at present are not convenient. I was so delicate
as to find fault with them, as communicating with each other, because
I knew she would; and told her, that were I sure she was safe from
pursuit, I would leave her in them, (since such was her earnest desire
and expectation,) and go to London.
She must be an infidel against all reason and appearances, if I do not
banish even the shadow of mistrust from her heart.
Here are two young likely girls, daughters of the widow Sorlings; that's
the name of our landlady.
I have only, at present, admired them in their dairy-works. How greedily
do the sex swallow praise!--Did I not once, in the streets of London,
see a well-dressed, handsome girl laugh, bridle, and visibly enjoy the
praises of a sooty dog, a chimney-sweeper; who, with his empty sack
across his shoulder, after giving her the way, stopt, and held up his
brush and shovel in admiration of her?--Egad, girl, thought I, I
despise thee as Lovelace: but were I the chimney-sweeper, and could only
contrive to get into thy presence, my life to thy virtue, I would have
thee.
So pleased was I with the young Sorlings, for the elegance of her works,
that I kissed her, and she made me a courtesy for my condescension; and
blushed, and seemed sensible all over: encouraging, yet innocently, she
adjusted her handkerchief, and looked towards the door, as much as to
say, she would not tell, were I to kiss her again.
Her eldest sister popt upon her. The conscious girl blushed again, and
looked so confounded, that I made an excuse for her, which gratified
both. Mrs. Betty, said I, I have been so much pleased with the neatness
of your dairy-works, that I could not help saluting your sister: you
have your share of merit in them, I am sure--Give me leave----
Good souls!--I like them both--she courtesied too!--How I love a
grateful temper! O that my Clarissa were but half so acknowledging!
I think I must get one of them to attend my charmer when she
removes--the mother seems to be a notable woman. She had not best,
however, be too notable: since, were she by suspicion to give me a face
of difficulty to the matter, it would prepare me for a trial with one or
both the daughters.
Allow me a little rhodamantade, Jack--but really and truly my heart is
fixed. I can think of no creature breathing of the sex, but my Gloriana.