This dear lady is prodigiously learned in theories.  But as to practices, as to experimentals, must be, as you know from her tender years, a mere novice.  Till she knew me, I dare say, she did not believe, whatever she had read, that there were such fellows in the world, as she will see in you four.  I shall have much pleasure in observing how she’ll stare at her company, when she finds me the politest man of the five.

And so much for instructions general and particular for your behaviour on Monday night.

And let me add, that you must attend to every minute circumstance, whether you think there be reason for it, or not.  Deep, like golden ore, frequently lies my meaning, and richly worth digging for.  The hint of least moment, as you may imagine it, is often pregnant with events of the greatest.  Be implicit.  Am I not your general?  Did I ever lead you on that I brought you not off with safety and success?—­Sometimes to your own stupid astonishment.

And now, methinks, thou art curious to know, what can be my view in risquing the displeasure of my fair-one, and alarming her fears, after four or five halcyon days have gone over our heads?  I’ll satisfy thee.

The visiters of the two nieces will crowd the house.—­Beds will be scarce:—­Miss Partington, a sweet, modest, genteel girl, will be prodigiously taken with my charmer;—­will want to begin a friendship with her—­a share in her bed, for one night only, will be requested.  Who knows, but on that very Monday night I may be so unhappy as to give mortal offence to my beloved?  The shyest birds may be caught napping.  Should she attempt to fly me upon it, cannot I detain her?  Should she actually fly, cannot I bring her back, by authority civil or uncivil, if I have evidence upon evidence that she acknowledged, though but tacitly, her marriage?  And should I, or should I not succeed, and she forgive me, or if she but descend to expostulate, or if she bear me in her sight, then will she be all my own.  All delicacy is my charmer.  I long to see how such a delicacy, on any of these occasions, will behave, and in my situation it behoves me to provide against every accident.

I must take care, knowing what an eel I have to do with, that the little riggling rogue does not slip through my fingers.  How silly should I look, staring after her, when she had shot from me into the muddy river, her family, from which with so much difficulty I have taken her!

Well then, here are—­let me see—­How many persons are there who, after Monday night, will be able to swear that she has gone by my name, answered to my name, had no other view in leaving her friends but to go by my name? her own relations neither able nor willing to deny it.—­ First, here are my servants, her servant, Dorcas, Mrs. Sinclair, Mrs. Sinclair’s two nieces, and Miss Partington.