either at the Cocoa-tree, or King's-Arms, and should not return till
late. She then urged her to take some refreshment.

'She was in tears when Dorcas approached her; her saucy eyes swelled with
weeping: she refused either to eat or drink; sighed as if her heart would
break.'--False, devilish grief! not the humble, silent, grief, that only
deserves pity!--Contriving to ruin me, to despoil me of all that I held
valuable, in the very midst of it.

'Nevertheless, being resolved not to see me for a week at least, she
ordered her to bring up three or four French rolls, with a little butter,
and a decanter of water; telling her, she would dispense with her
attendance; and that should be all she should live upon in the interim.
So artful creature! pretending to lay up for a week's siege.'--For, as to
substantial food, she, no more than other angels--Angels! said I--the
devil take me if she be any more an angel!--for she is odious in my eyes;
and I hate her mortally!

But O Lovelace, thou liest!--She is all that is lovely. All that is
excellent!

But is she, can she be gone!--Oh! how Miss Howe will triumph!--But if
that little fury receive her, fate shall make me rich amends; for then
will I contrive to have them both.

I was looking back for connection--but the devil take connection; I have
no business with it: the contrary best befits distraction, and that will
soon be my lot!

'Dorcas consulted the old wretch about obeying her: O yes, by all means;
for Mr. Lovelace knew how to come at her at any time: and directed a
bottle of sherry to be added.

'This cheerful compliance so obliged her, that she was prevailed upon to
go up, and look at the damage done by the fire; and seemed not only
shocked by it, but, as they thought, satisfied it was no trick; as she
owned she had at first apprehended it to be. All this made them secure;
and they laughed in their sleeves, to think what a childish way of
showing her resentment she had found out; Sally throwing out her
witticisms, that Mrs. Lovelace was right, however, not to quarrel with
her bread and butter.'

Now this very childishness, as they imagined it, in such a genius, would
have made me suspect either her head, after what had happened the night
before; or her purpose, when the marriage was (so far as she knew) to be
completed within the week in which she was resolved to secrete herself
from me in the same house.

'She sent Will. with a letter to Wilson's, directed