Sir, I will be very frank in all I have to say on this subject—­Mr. John Harlowe has lately found out, that you and his niece are both in the same lodgings; that you have been long so; and that the lady was at the play with you yesterday was se’nnight; and he hopes that you are actually married.  He has indeed heard that you are; but as he knows your enterprising temper, and that you have declared, that you disdain a relation to their family, he is willing by me to have your marriage confirmed from your own mouth, before he take the steps he is inclined to take in his niece’s favour.  You will allow me to say, Mr. Lovelace, that he will not be satisfied with an answer that admits of the least doubt.

Let me tell you, Captain Tomlinson, that it is a high degree of vileness for any man to suppose—­

Sir—­Mr. Lovelace—­don’t put yourself into a passion.  The lady’s relations are jealous of the honour of their family.  They have prejudices to overcome as well as you—­advantage may have been taken—­and the lady, at the time, not to blame.

This lady, Sir, could give no such advantages:  and if she had, what must the man be, Captain Tomlinson, who could have taken them?—­Do you know the lady, Sir?

I never had the honour to see her but once; and that was at a church; and should not know her again.

Not know her again, Sir!—­I thought there was not a man living who had once seen her, and would not know her among a thousand.

I remember, Sir, that I thought I never saw a finer woman in my life.  But, Mr. Lovelace, I believe, you will allow, that it is better that her relations should have wronged you, than you the lady, I hope, Sir, you will permit me to repeat my question.

Enter Dorcas, in a hurry.

A gentleman, this minute, Sir, desires to speak with your honour—­[My lady, Sir!—­Aside.]

Could the dear creature put Dorcas upon telling this fib, yet want to save me one?

Desire the gentleman to walk into one of the parlours.  I will wait upon him presently.

[Exit Dorcas.

The dear creature, I doubted not, wanted to instruct me how to answer the Captain’s home put.  I knew how I intended to answer it—­plumb, thou may’st be sure—­but Dorcas’s message staggered me.  And yet I was upon one of my master-strokes—­which was, to take advantage of the captain’s inquiries, and to make her own her marriage before him, as she had done to the people below; and if she had been brought to that, to induce her, for her uncle’s satisfaction, to write him a letter of gratitude; which of course must have been signed Clarissa Lovelace.  I was loth, therefore, thou may’st believe, to attend her sudden commands:  and yet, afraid of pushing matters beyond recovery with her, I thought proper to lead him from the question, to account for himself and for Mr. Harlowe’s coming to the knowledge of where we are; and for other particulars which I knew would engage her attention; and which might possibly convince her of the necessity there was for her to acquiesce in the affirmative I was disposed to give.  And this for her own sake; For what, as I asked her afterwards, is it to me, whether I am ever reconciled to her family?—­A family, Jack, which I must for ever despise.