[He mentions his rash expression, That she should be his, although his
   damnation was to be the purchase.]

At that instant, says he, I was upon the point of making a violent attempt, but was checked in the very moment, and but just in time to save myself, by the awe I was struck with on again casting my eye upon her terrified but lovely face, and seeing, as I thought, her spotless heart in every line of it.

O virtue, virtue! proceeds he, what is there in thee, that can thus against his will affect the heart of a Lovelace!—­Whence these involuntary tremors, and fear of giving mortal offence?—­What art thou, that acting in the breast of a feeble woman, which never before, no, not in my first attempt, young as I then was, and frightened at my own boldness (till I found myself forgiven,) had such an effect upon me!

[He paints in lively colours, that part of the scene between him and the
   Lady, where she says, The word father has a sweet and venerable sound
   with it.]

I was exceedingly affected, says he, upon the occasion, but was ashamed to be surprised into such a fit of unmanly weakness—­so ashamed, that I was resolved to subdue it at the instant, and to guard against the like for the future.  Yet, at that moment, I more than half regretted that I could not permit her to enjoy a triumph which she so well deserved to glory in—­her youth, her beauty, her artless innocence, and her manner, equally beyond comparison or description.  But her indifference, Belford!  —­That she could resolve to sacrifice me to the malice of my enemies; and carry on the design in so clandestine a manner—­and yet love her, as I do, to phrensy!—­revere her, as I do, to adoration!—­These were the recollections with which I fortified my recreant heart against her!—­Yet, after all, if she persevere, she must conquer!—­Coward, as she has made me, that never was a coward before!

[He concludes his fourth letter in a vehement rage, upon her repulsing
   him, when he offered to salute her; having supposed, as he owns, that
   she would have been all condescension on his proposals to her.]

This, says he, I will for ever remember against her, in order to steel my heart, that I may cut through a rock of ice to hers; and repay her for the disdain, the scorn, which glowed in her countenance, and was apparent in her air, at her abrupt departure for me, after such obliging behaviour on my side, and after I had so earnestly pressed her for an early day.  The women below say she hates me; she despises me!—­And ’tis true:  she does; she must.—­And why cannot I take their advice?  I will not long, my fair-one, be despised by thee, and laughed at by them!