Volume V Part 39 (1/2)

The correction I had given the brother, he told me, must have aggravated matters.

How valiant this made me look to the women!--The s.e.x love us mettled fellows at their hearts.

Be that as it would, I should never love any of the family but my spouse; and wanting nothing from them, I would not, but for her sake, have gone so far as I had gone towards a reconciliation.

This was very good of me; Mrs. Moore said.

Very good indeed; Miss Rawlins.

Good;--It is more than good; it is very generous; said the widow.

Capt. Why so it is, I must needs say: for I am sensible that Mr.

Lovelace has been rudely treated by them all--more rudely, than it could have been imagined a man of his quality and spirit would have put up with. But then, Sir, [turning to me,] I think you are amply rewarded in such a lady; and that you ought to forgive the father for the daughter's sake.

Mrs. Moore. Indeed so I think.

Miss R. So must every one think who has seen the lady.

Widow B. A fine lady, to be sure! But she has a violent spirit; and some very odd humours too, by what I have heard. The value of good husbands is not known till they are lost!

Her conscience then drew a sigh from her.

Lovel. n.o.body must reflect upon my angel!--An angel she is--some little blemishes, indeed, as to her over-hasty spirit, and as to her unforgiving temper. But this she has from the Harlowes; instigated too by that Miss Howe.--But her innumerable excellencies are all her own.

Capt. Ay, talk of spirit, there's a spirit, now you have named Miss Howe! [And so I led him to confirm all I had said of that vixen.] Yet she was to be pitied too; looking with meaning at me.

As I have already hinted, I had before agreed with him to impute secret love occasionally to Miss Howe, as the best means to invalidate all that might come from her in my disfavour.

Capt. Mr. Lovelace, but that I know your modesty, or you could give a reason--

Lovel. Looking down, and very modest--I can't think so, Captain--but let us call another cause.

Every woman present could look me in the face, so bashful was I.

Capt. Well, but as to our present situation--only it mayn't be proper-- looking upon me, and round upon the women.

Lovel. O Captain, you may say any thing before this company--only, Andrew, [to my new servant, who attended us at table,] do you withdraw: this good girl [looking at the maid-servant] will help us to all we want.

Away went Andrew: he wanted not his cue; and the maid seemed pleased at my honour's preference of her.

Capt. As to our present situation, I say, Mr. Lovelace--why, Sir, we shall be all untwisted, let me tell you, if my friend Mr. John Harlowe were to know what that is. He would as much question the truth of your being married, as the rest of the family do.

Here the women perked up their ears; and were all silent attention.

Capt. I asked you before for particulars, Mr. Lovelace; but you declined giving them.--Indeed it may not be proper for me to be acquainted with them.--But I must own, that it is past my comprehension, that a wife can resent any thing a husband can do (that is not a breach of the peace) so far as to think herself justified for eloping from him.

Lovel. Captain Tomlinson:--Sir--I do a.s.sure you, that I shall be offended--I shall be extremely concerned--if I hear that word eloping mentioned again--

Capt. Your nicety and your love, Sir, may make you take offence--but it is my way to call every thing by its proper name, let who will be offended--

Thou canst not imagine, Belford, how brave and how independent the rascal looked.