***

Every one is now sure that she loves me.  Tears were in her eyes more than once for me.  She suffered me to take her hand, and kiss it as often as I pleased.  On Mrs. Sinclair’s mentioning, that I too much confined myself, she pressed me to take an airing; but obligingly desired me to be careful of myself.  Wished I would advise with a physician.  God made physicians, she said.

I did not think that, Jack.  God indeed made us all.  But I fancy she meant physic instead of physicians; and then the phrase might mean what the vulgar phrase means;—­God sends meat, the Devil cooks.

I was well already, on taking the styptic from her dear hands.

On her requiring me to take the air, I asked, If I might have the honour of her company in a coach; and this, that I might observe if she had an intention of going out in my absence.

If she thought a chair were not a more proper vehicle for my case, she would with all her heart!

There’s a precious!

I kissed her hand again!  She was all goodness!—­Would to Heaven I better deserved it, I said!—­But all were golden days before us!—­Her presence and generous concern had done every thing.  I was well!  Nothing ailed me.  But since my beloved will have it so, I’ll take a little airing!—­ Let a chair be called!—­O my charmer! were I to have owned this indisposition to my late harasses, and to the uneasiness I have had for disobliging you; all is infinitely compensated by your goodness.—­All the art of healing is in your smiles!—­Your late displeasure was the only malady!

While Mrs. Sinclair, and Dorcas, and Polly, and even poor silly Mabell [for Sally went out, as my angel came in] with uplifted hands and eyes, stood thanking Heaven that I was better, in audible whispers:  See the power of love, cried one!—­What a charming husband, another!—­Happy couple, all!

O how the dear creature’s cheek mantled!—­How her eyes sparkled!—­How sweetly acceptable is praise to conscious merit, while it but reproaches when applied to the undeserving!—­What a new, what a gay creation it makes all at once in a diffident or dispirited heart!

And now, Belford, was it not worth while to be sick?  And yet I must tell thee, that too many pleasanter expedients offer themselves, to make trial any more of this confounded ipecacuanha.

LETTER III

Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to miss howe
Saturday, may 27.

Mr. Lovelace, my dear, has been very ill.  Suddenly taken.  With a vomiting of blood in great quantities.  Some vessel broken.  He complained of a disorder in his stomach over night.  I was the affected with it, as I am afraid it was occasioned by the violent contentions between us.—­But was I in fault?

How lately did I think I hated him!—­But hatred and anger, I see, are but temporary passions with me.  One cannot, my dear, hate people in danger of death, or who are in distress or affliction.  My heart, I find, is not proof against kindness, and acknowledgements of errors committed.