He will dispatch the messenger directly; whom I propose to meet in person at Slough; either to proceed onward to London with a joyful heart, or to return back to M. Hall with a broken one.

I ought not (but cannot help it) to anticipate the pleasure Mr. Tomlinson proposes to himself, in acquainting you with the likelihood there is of your mother’s seconding your uncle’s views.  For, it seems, he has privately communicated to her his laudable intentions:  and her resolution depends, as well as his, upon what to-morrow will produce.

Disappoint not then, I beseech you, for an hundred persons’ sakes, as well as for mine, that uncle and that mother, whose displeasure I have heard you so often deplore.

You may think it impossible for me to reach London by the canonical hour.  If it should, the ceremony may be performed in your own apartments, at any time in the day, or at night:  so that Captain Tomlinson may have it to aver to your uncle, that it was performed on his anniversary.

Tell but the Captain, that you forbid me not to attend you:  and that shall be sufficient for bringing to you, on the wings of love,

Your ever-grateful and affectionate
Lovelace.

LETTER XLIV

To Mr. Patrick M’DONALD,
at his lodgings, at Mr. BROWN’S, peruke-maker, in st. Martin’s lane,
   Westminster
M. Hall, Wedn.  Morning, two o’clock.

Dear M’DONALD,

The bearer of this has a letter to carry to the lady.* I have been at the trouble of writing a copy of it:  which I enclose, that you may not mistake your cue.

* See the preceding Letter.

You will judge of my reasons for ante-dating the enclosed sealed one,* directed to you by the name of Tomlinson; which you are to show to the lady, as in confidence.  You will open it of course.

* See the next Letter.

I doubt not your dexterity and management, dear M’Donald; nor your zeal; especially as the hope of cohabitation must now be given up.  Impossible to be carried is that scheme.  I might break her heart, but not incline her will—­am in earnest therefore to marry her, if she let not the day slip.

Improve upon the hint of her mother.  That may touch her.  But John Harlowe, remember, has privately engaged that lady—­privately, I say; else, (not to mention the reason for her uncle Harlowe’s former expedient,) you know, she might find means to get a letter away to the one or to the other, to know the truth; or to Miss Howe, to engage her to inquire into it:  and, if she should, the word privately will account for the uncle’s and mother’s denying it.

However, fail not, as from me, to charge our mother and her nymphs to redouble their vigilance both as to her person and letters.  All’s upon a crisis now.  But she must not be treated ill neither.