n advantage of by wine, and other still more intoxicating viands?--
Let me tell thee, Jack, that the experience of many of the passive sex,
and the consciences of many more of the active, appealed to, will testify
that thy Lovelace is not the worst of villains. Nor would I have thee
put me upon clearing myself by comparisons.

If she escape a settled delirium when my plots unravel, I think it is all
I ought to be concerned about. What therefore I desire of thee, is,
that, if two constructions may be made of my actions, thou wilt afford me
the most favourable. For this, not only friendship, but my own
ingenuousness, which has furnished thee with the knowledge of the facts
against which thou art so ready to inveigh, require of thee.

***

Will. is just returned from an errand to Hampstead; and acquaints me,
that Mrs. Townsend was yesterday at Mrs. Moore's, accompanied by three or
four rough fellows; a greater number (as supposed) at a distance. She
was strangely surprised at the news that my spouse and I are entirely
reconciled; and that two fine ladies, my relations, came to visit her,
and went to town with her: where she is very happy with me. She was sure
we were not married, she said, unless it was while we were at Hampstead:
and they were sure the ceremony was not performed there. But that the
lady is happy and easy, is unquestionable: and a fling was thrown out by
Mrs. Moore and Mrs. Bevis at mischief-makers, as they knew Mrs. Townsend
to be acquainted with Miss Howe.

Now, since my fair-one can neither receive, nor send away letters, I am
pretty easy as to this Mrs. Townsend and her employer. And I fancy Miss
Howe will be puzzled to know what to think of the matter, and afraid of
sending by Wilson's conveyance; and perhaps suppose that her friend
slights her; or has changed her mind in my favour, and is ashamed to own
it; as she has not had an answer to what she wrote; and will believe that
the rustic delivered her last letter into her own hand.

Mean time I have a little project come into my head, of a new kind; just
for amusement-sake, that's all: variety has irresistible charms. I
cannot live without intrigue. My charmer has no passions; that is to
say, none of the passions that I want her to have. She engages all my
reverence. I am at present more inclined to regret what I have done,
than to proceed to new offences: and shall regret it till I see how she
takes it when recovered.

Shall I te