This is true of the Harlowes, Jack:  they have been called The proud Harlowes:  and I have ever found, that all young honour is supercilious and touchy.

But seest thou not how right I was in my endeavour to persuade my fair-one to allow her uncle’s friend to think us married; especially as he came prepared to believe it; and as her uncle hoped it was so?—­But nothing on earth is so perverse as a woman, when she is set upon carrying a point, and has a meek man, or one who loves his peace, to deal with.

My beloved was vexed.  She pulled out her handkerchief:  but was more inclined to blame me than herself.

Had you kept your word, Mr. Lovelace, and left me when we came to town—­And there she stopt; for she knew, that it was her own fault that we were not married before we left the country; and how could I leave her afterwards, while her brother was plotting to carry her off by violence?

Nor has this brother yet given over his machinations.

For, as the Captain proceeds, ’Mr. John Harlowe owned to him (but in confidence) that his nephew is at this time busied in endeavouring to find out where we are; being assured (as I am not to be heard of at any of my relations, or at my usual lodgings) that we are together.  And that we are not married is plain, as he will have it, from Mr. Hickman’s application so lately made to her uncle; and which was seconded by Mrs. Norton to her mother.  And her brother cannot bear that I should enjoy such a triumph unmolested.’

A profound sigh, and the handkerchief again lifted to the eye.  But did not the sweet soul deserve this turn upon her, for feloniously resolving to rob me of herself, had the application made by Hickman succeeded?

I read on to the following effect: 

’Why (asked Mr. Harlowe) was it said to his other inquiring friend, that we were married; and that by his niece’s woman, who ought to know? who could give convincing reasons, no doubt’—­

Here again she wept; took a turn across the room; then returned—­Read on, says she—­

Will you, my dearest life, read it yourself?

I will take the letter with me, by-and-by—­I cannot see to read it just now, wiping her eyes—­read on—­let me hear it all—­that I may know your sentiments upon this letter, as well as give my own.

’The Captain then told uncle John the reasons that induced me to give out that we were married; and the conditions on which my beloved was brought to countenance it; which had kept us at the most punctilious distance.

’But still Mr. Harlowe objected my character.  And went away dissatisfied.  And the Captain was also so much concerned, that he cared not to write what the result of his first conference was.

’But in the next, which was held on receipt of the draughts, at the Captain’s house, (as the former was, for the greater secrecy,) when the old gentleman had read them, and had the Captain’s opinion, he was much better pleased.  And yet he declared, that it would not be easy to persuade any other person of his family to believe so favourably of the matter, as he was now willing to believe, were they to know that we had lived so long together unmarried.