I pursue my schemes
of love and vengeance? Have not those who have a right to her renounced
that right? Have they not wilfully exposed her to dangers? Yet must
know, that such a woman would be considered as lawful prize by as many as
could have the opportunity to attempt her?--And had they not thus cruelly
exposed her, is she not a single woman? And need I tell thee, Jack, that
men of our cast, the best of them [the worst stick at nothing] think it a
great grace and favour done to the married men, if they leave them their
wives to themselves; and compound for their sisters, daughters, wards
and nieces? Shocking as these principles must be to a reflecting mind,
yet such thou knowest are the principles of thousands (who would not act
so generously as I have acted by almost all of the sex, over whom I have
obtained a power); and as often carried into practice, as their
opportunities or courage will permit.--Such therefore have no right to
blame me.

Thou repeatedly pleadest her sufferings from her family. But I have too
often answered this plea, to need to say any more now, than that she has
not suffered for my sake. For has she not been made the victim of the
malice of her rapacious brother and envious sister, who only waited for
an occasion to ruin her with her other relations; and took this as the
first to drive her out of the house; and, as it happened, into my arms?--
Thou knowest how much against her inclination.

As for her own sins, how many has the dear creature to answer for to love
and to me!--Twenty times, and twenty times twenty, has she not told me,
that she refused not the odious Solmes in favour to me? And as often has
she not offered to renounce me for the single life, if the implacables
would have received her on that condition?--Of what repetitions does thy
weak pity make me guilty?

To look a litter farther back: Canst thou forget what my sufferings were
from this haughty beauty in the whole time of my attendance upon her
proud motions, in the purlieus of Harlowe-place, and at the little White
Hart, at Neale, as we called it?--Did I not threaten vengeance upon her
then (and had I not reason?) for disappointing me of a promised
interview?

O Jack! what a night had I in the bleak coppice adjoining to her father's
paddock! My linen and wig frozen; my limbs absolutely numbed; my fingers
only sensible of so much warmth as enabled me to hold a pen; and that
obtained by rubbing the skin off, and