re. Upon my soul, I
do. He has promised to keep from your uncle what has happened: but what
will he think if he find you hold in this strange humour?

Cl. I will endeavour, Sir, to have patience with you for a moment or
two, while I ask you a few questions before this lady, and before Mrs.
Moore, [who just then came in,] both of whom you have prejudiced in your
favour by your specious stories:--Will you say, Sir, that we are married
together? Lay your hand upon your heart, and answer me, am I your wedded
wife?

I am gone too far, thought I, to give up for such a push as this, home
one as it is.

My dearest soul! how can you put such a question? It is either for your
honour or my own, that it should be doubted?--Surely, surely, Madam, you
cannot have attended to the contents of Captain Tomlinson's letter.

She complained often of want of spirits throughout our whole contention,
and of weakness of person and mind, from the fits she had been thrown
into: but little reason had she for this complaint, as I thought, who was
able to hold me to it, as she did. I own that I was excessively
concerned for her several times.

You and I! Vilest of Men!--

My name is Lovelace, Madam--

Therefore it is that I call you the vilest of men. [Was this pardonable,
Jack!]--You and I know the truth, the whole truth.--I want not to clear
up my reputation with these gentlewomen:--that is already lost with every
one I had most reason to value: but let me have this new specimen of what
you are capable of--say, wretch, (say, Lovelace, if thou hadst rather,)
art thou really and truly my wedded husband?--Say; answer without
hesitation.

She trembled with impatient indignation; but had a wildness in her
manner, which I took some advantage of, in order to parry this cursed
thrust. And a cursed thrust it was; since, had I positively averred it,
she would never have believed any thing I said: and had I owned that I
was not married, I had destroyed my own plot, as well with the women as
with her; and could have no pretence for pursuing her, or hindering her
from going wheresoever she pleased. Not that I was ashamed to aver it,
had it been consistent with policy. I would not have thee think me such
a milk-sop neither.

Lovel. My dearest love, how wildly you talk! What would you have me
answer? It is necessary that I should answer? May I not re-appeal this
to your own breast, as well as to Captain Tomlinson's treaty and letter?