I was full of hope now.  Severe as her expressions were, I saw she was afraid that I should think of what she had written.  And, indeed, her letter is violence itself.—­Angry people, Jack, should never write while their passion holds.

Lovel.  The severity you have shown me, Madam, whether by pen or by speech, shall never have place in my remembrance, but for your honor.  In the light you have taken things, all is deserved, and but the natural result of virtuous resentment; and I adore you, even for the pangs you have given me.

She was silent.  She had employment enough with her handkerchief at her eyes.

Lovel.  You lament, sometimes, that you have no friends of your own sex to consult with.  Miss Rawlins, I must confess, is too inquisitive to be confided in, [I liked not, thou mayest think, her appeal to Miss Rawlins.] She may mean well.  But I never in my life knew a person, who was fond of prying into the secrets of others, that was fit to be trusted.  The curiosity of such is governed by pride, which is not gratified but by whispering about a secret till it becomes public, in order to show either their consequence, or their sagacity.  It is so in every case.  What man or woman, who is covetous of power, or of making a right use of it?  But in the ladies of my family you may confide.  It is their ambition to think of you as one of themselves.  Renew but your consent to pass to the world, for the sake of your uncle’s expedient, and for the prevention of mischief, as a lady some time married.  Lady Betty may be acquainted with the naked truth; and you may, (as she hopes you will,) accompany her to her seat; and, if it must be so, consider me as in a state of penitence or probation, to be accepted or rejected, as I may appear to deserve.

The Captain again clapt his hands on his breast, and declared, upon his honour, that this was a proposal that, were the case that of his own daughter, and she were not resolved upon immediate marriage, (which yet he thought by far the more eligible choice,) he should be very much concerned were she to refuse it.

Cl.  Were I with Mr. Lovelace’s relations, and to pass as his wife to the world, I could not have any choice.  And how could he be then in a state of probation?—­O Mr. Tomlinson, you are too much his friend to see into his drift.

Capt.  His friend, Madam, as I said before, as I am your’s and your uncle’s, for the sake of a general reconciliation, which must begin with a better understanding between yourselves.

Lovel.  Only, my dearest life, resolve to attend the arrival and visit of Lady Betty; and permit her to arbitrate between us.

Capt.  There can be no harm in that, Madam.  You can suffer no inconvenience from that.  If Mr. Lovelace’s offence be such, that a woman of Lady Betty’s character judges it to be unpardonable, why then—­