rise upon it, when I recollect the affectionate behaviour,
to which I was witness between you, when I attended you last. Over-love,
Sir, I think you once mention--but over-love [smiling] give me leave to
say, Sir, it is an odd cause of quarrel--few ladies--

Lovel. Dear Captain!--And I tried to blush.

The women also tried; and being more used to it, succeeded better.--Mrs.
Bevis indeed has a red-hot countenance, and always blushes.

Miss R. It signifies nothing to mince the matter: but the lady above as
good as denies her marriage. You know, Sir, that she does; turning to
me.

Capt. Denies her marriage! Heavens! how then have I imposed upon my
dear friend Mr. John Harlowe!

Lovel. Poor dear!--But let not her veracity be called into question.
She would not be guilty of a wilful untruth for the world.

Then I had all their praises again.

Lovel. Dear creature!--She thinks she has reason for her denial. You
know, Mrs. Moore; you know, Miss Rawlins; what I owned to you above as my
vow.

I looked down, and, as once before, turned round my diamond ring.

Mrs. Moore looked awry, and with a leer at Miss Rawlins, as to her
partner in the hinted-at reference.

Miss Rawlins looked down as well as I; her eyelids half closed, as if
mumbling a pater-noster, meditating her snuff-box, the distance between
her nose and chin lengthened by a close-shut mouth.

She put me in mind of the pious Mrs. Fetherstone at Oxford, whom I
pointed out to thee once, among other grotesque figures, at St. Mary's
church, whither we went to take a view of her two sisters: her eyes shut,
not daring to trust her heart with them open; and but just half-rearing
her lids, to see who the next comer was; and falling them again, when her
curiosity was satisfied.

The widow Bevis gazed, as if on the hunt for a secret.

The Captain looked archly, as if half in the possession of one.

Mrs. Moore at last broke the bashful silence. Mrs. Lovelace's behaviour,
she said, could be no otherwise so well accounted for, as by the ill
offices of that Miss Howe; and by the severity of her relations; which
might but too probably have affected her head a little at times: adding,
that it was very generous in me to give way to the storm when it was up,
rather than to exasperate at such a time.

But let me tell you, Sirs, said the widow Bevis, that is not what one
husband in a thousand would have done.

I desired, that no part of this conversation mi