it, he beseeches my fair-one
not to suspend my day, that he may be authorized in what he says, as to
the truth of the main fact. [How conscientious this good man!] Nor must
it be expected, he says, that her uncle will take one step towards the
wished-for reconciliation, till the solemnity is actually over.'

He adds, 'that he shall be very soon in town on other affairs; and then
proposes to attend us, and give us a more particular account of all that
has passed, or shall further pass, between Mr. Harlowe and him.'

Well, my dearest life, what say you to your uncle's expedient? Shall I
write to the Captain, and acquaint him, that we have no objection to it?

She was silent for a few minutes. At last, with a sigh, See, Mr.
Lovelace, said she, what you have brought me to, by treading after you in
such crooked paths!--See what disgrace I have incurred!--Indeed you have
not acted like a wise man.

My beloved creature, do you not remember, how earnestly I besought the
honour of your hand before we came to town?--Had I been then favoured--

Well, well, Sir; there has been much amiss somewhere; that's all I will
say at present. And since what's past cannot be recalled, my uncle must
be obeyed, I think.

Charmingly dutiful!--I had nothing then to do, that I might not be
behind-hand with the worthy Captain and her uncle, but to press for the
day. This I fervently did. But (as I might have expected) she repeated
her former answer; to wit, That when the settlements were completed; when
the license was actually obtained; it would be time enough to name the
day: and, O Mr. Lovelace, said she, turning from me with a grace
inimitably tender, her handkerchief at her eyes, what a happiness, if my
dear uncle could be prevailed upon to be personally a father, on this
occasion, to the poor fatherless girl!

What's the matter with me!--Whence this dew-drop!--A tear!--As I hope to
be saved, it is a tear, Jack!--Very ready methinks!--Only on
reciting!--But her lovely image was before me, in the very attitude she
spoke the words--and indeed at the time she spoke them, these lines of
Shakespeare came into my head:

Thy heart is big. Get thee apart and weep!
Passion, I see, is catching:--For my eye,
Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine,
Begin to water--

I withdrew, and wrote to the Captain to the following effect--'I desired
that he would be so good as to acquaint his dear friend that we entirely