women pitied me--honest souls! They showed they had each of
them a handkerchief as well as I. So, has thou not observed (to give a
familiar illustration,) every man in a company of a dozen, or more,
obligingly pull out his watch, when some one has asked what's o'clock?--
As each man of a like number, if one talks of his beard, will fall to
stroking his chin with his four fingers and thumb.

One word only, Madam, repeated I, (as soon as my voice had recovered its
tone,) I have represented to Captain Tomlinson in the most favourable
light the cause of our present misunderstanding. You know what your
uncle insists upon, and with which you have acquiesced.--The letter in my
hand, [and again I offered it to her,] will acquaint you with what you
have to apprehend from your brother's active malice.

She was going to speak in a high accent, putting the letter from her,
with an open palm--Nay, hear me out, Madam--The Captain, you know, has
reported our marriage to two different persons. It is come to your
brother's ears. My own relations have also heard of it.--Letters were
brought me from town this morning, from Lady Betty Lawrance, and Miss
Montague. Here they are. [I pulled them out of my pocket, and offered
them to her, with that of the Captain; but she held back her still open
palm, that she might not receive them.] Reflect, Madam, I beseech you,
reflect upon the fatal consequences with which this, your high
resentment, may be attended.

Ever since I knew you, said she, I have been in a wilderness of doubt
and error. I bless God that I am out of your hands. I will transact for
myself what relates to myself. I dismiss all your solicitude for me.--
Am I not my own mistress?--Have you any title?--

The women stared--[the devil stare ye, thought I!--Can ye do nothing but
stare?]--It was high time to stop her here.

I raised my voice to drown her's.--You used, my dearest creature, to have
a tender and apprehensive heart.--You never had so much reason for such a
one as now.

Let me judge for myself, upon what I shall see, not upon what I shall
hear.--Do you think I shall ever?--

I dreaded her going on--I must be heard, Madam, (raising my voice still
higher,)--you must let me read one paragraph or two out of this letter to
you, if you will not read it yourself--

Begone from me, Man!--Begone from me with thy letters! What pretence
hast thou for tormenting me thus? What right?--What title?--

Dearest creatu