afflicted, that I have appeared to the people below what I am
not. But my uncle, Sir, shall never have it to upbraid me, nor will I to
upbraid myself, that I have wilfully passed upon him in false lights.

What, my dear, would you have me say to the Captain to-morrow morning? I
have given him room to think--

Then put him right, Mr. Lovelace. Tell the truth. Tell him what you
please of the favour of your relations to me: tell him what you will
about the settlements: and if, when drawn, you will submit them to his
perusal and approbation, it will show him how much you are in earnest.

My dearest life!--Do you think that he would disapprove of the terms I
have offered?

No.

Then may I be accursed, if I willingly submit to be trampled under foot
by my enemies!

And may I, Mr. Lovelace, never be unhappy in this life, if I submit to
the passing upon my uncle Harlowe a wilful and premeditated falshood for
truth! I have too long laboured under the affliction which the rejection
of all my friends has given me, to purchase my reconciliation with them
now at so dear a price as this of my veracity.

The women below, my dear--

What are the women below to me?--I want not to establish myself with
them. Need they know all that passes between my relations and you and
me?

Neither are they any thing to me, Madam. Only, that when, for the sake
of preventing the fatal mischiefs which might have attended your
brother's projects, I have made them think us married, I would not appear
to them in a light which you yourself think so shocking. By my soul,
Madam, I had rather die, than contradict myself so flagrantly, after I
have related to them so many circumstances of our marriage.

Well, Sir, the women may believe what they please. That I have given
countenance to what you told them is my error. The many circumstances
which you own one untruth has drawn you in to relate, is a justification
of my refusal in the present case.

Don't you see, Madam, that your uncle wishes to find that we are married?
May not the ceremony be privately over, before his mediation can take
place?

Urge this point no further, Mr. Lovelace. If you will not tell the
truth, I will to-morrow morning (if I see Captain Tomlinson) tell it
myself. Indeed I will.

Will you, Madam, consent that things pass as before with the people
below? This mediation of Tomlinson may come to nothing. Your brother's
schemes may be pursued; the rather, that n