Capt.  ’I gave it as my opinion, that if his niece were unworthily treated, and in distress, (as he apprehended from the application to him,) he would soon hear of her again:  but that it was likely, that this application was made without expecting it would succeed; and as a salvo only, to herself, for marrying without their consent.  And the rather thought I so, as he had told me, that it came from a young lady her friend, and not in a direct way from herself; which young lady was no favourite of the family; and therefore would hardly have been employed, had success been expected.’

Lovel.  Very well, Captain Tomlinson—­pray proceed.

Capt.  ’Here the matter rested till last Sunday evening, when Mr. John Harlowe came to me with the man who had seen you and your lady (as I presume she is) at the play; and who had assured him, that you both lodged in the same house.—­And then the application having been so lately made, which implied that you were not then married, he was so uneasy for his niece’s honour, that I advised him to dispatch to town some one in whom he could confide, to make proper inquiries.’

Lovel.  Very well, Captain—­And was such a person employed on such an errand by her uncle?

Capt.  ’A trusty and discreet person was accordingly sent; and last Tuesday, I think it was, (for he returned to us on the Wednesday,) he made the inquiries among the neighbours first.’ [The very inquiry, Jack, that gave us all so much uneasiness.*] ’But finding that none of them could give any satisfactory account, the lady’s woman was come at, who declared, that you were actually married.  But the inquirist keeping himself on the reserve as to his employers, the girl refused to tell the day, or to give him other particulars.’

* See Vol.  IV.  Letter L.

Lovel.  You give a very clear account of every thing, Captain Tomlinson. 
Pray proceed.

Capt.  ’The gentleman returned; and, on his report, Mr. Harlowe, having still doubts, and being willing to proceed on some grounds in so important a point, besought me (as my affairs called me frequently to town) to undertake this matter.  “You, Mr. Tomlinson, he was pleased to say, have children of your own:  you know the world:  you know what I drive at:  you will proceed, I am sure, with understanding and spirit:  and whatever you are satisfied with shall satisfy me."’

Enter Dorcas again in a hurry.

Sir, the gentleman is impatient.

I will attend him presently.

The Captain then accounted for his not calling in person, when he had reason to think us here.

He said he had business of consequence a few miles out of town, whither he thought he must have gone yesterday, and having been obliged to put off his little journey till this day, and understanding that we were within, not knowing whether he should have such another opportunity, he was willing to try his good fortune before he set out; and this made him come booted and spurred, as I saw him.