,] can befriend me till I can get
farther. I have no doubt that the fellow is planted about the house to
watch my steps. But the wicked wretch his master has no right to
controul me. He shall not hinder me from going where I please. I will
raise the town upon him, if he molests me. Dear Ladies, is there no
back-door for me to get out at while you hold him in talk?

Miss R. Give me leave to ask you, Madam, Is there no room to hope for
accommodation? Had you not better see him? He certainly loves you
dearly: he is a fine gentleman; you may exasperate him, and make matters
more unhappy for yourself.

Cl. O Mrs. Moore! O Miss Rawlins! you know not the man! I wish not to
see his face, nor to exchange another word with him as long as I live.

Mrs. Moore. I don't find, Miss Rawlins, that the gentleman has
misrepresented any thing. You see, Madam, [to my Clarissa,] how
respectful he is; not to come in till permitted. He certainly loves you
dearly. Pray, Madam, let him talk to you, as he wishes to do, on the
subject of his letters.

Very kind of Mrs. Moore!--Mrs. Moore, thought I, is a very good woman. I
did not curse her then.

Miss Rawlins said something; but so low that I could not hear what it
was. Thus it was answered.

Cl. I am greatly distressed! I know not what to do!--But, Mrs. Moore,
be so good as to give his letters to him--here they are.--Be pleased to
tell him, that I wish him and Lady Betty and Miss Montague a happy
meeting. He never can want excuses to them for what has happened, any
more than pretences to those he would delude. Tell him, that he has
ruined me in the opinion of my own friends. I am for that reason the
less solicitous how I appear to his.

Mrs. Moore then came to me; and I, being afraid that something would pass
mean time between the other two, which I should not like, took the
letters, and entered the room, and found them retired into the closet; my
beloved whispering with an air of earnestness to Miss Rawlins, who was
all attention.

Her back was towards me; and Miss Rawlins, by pulling her sleeve, giving
intimation of my being there--Can I have no retirement uninvaded, Sir,
said she, with indignation, as if she were interrupted in some talk her
heart was in?--What business have you here, or with me?--You have your
letters; have you not?

Lovel. I have, my dear; and let me beg of you to consider what you are
about. I every moment expect Captain Tomlinson he