, that I was absolutely under the controul both of conscience
and of love.

I will not offer to defend myself, for wishing you to remain where you
are, till either you give me your word to meet me at the altar on
Thursday; or till I have the honour of attending you, preparative to the
solemnity which will make that day the happiest of my life.

I am but too sensible, that this kind of treatment may appear to you with
the face of an arbitrary and illegal imposition: but as the consequences,
not only to ourselves, but to both our families, may be fatal, if you
cannot be moved in my favour; let me beseech you to forgive this act of
compulsion, on the score of the necessity you your dear self have laid me
under to be guilty of it; and to permit the solemnity of next Thursday to
include an act of oblivion for all past offences.

The orders I have given to the people of the house are: 'That you shall
be obeyed in every particular that is consistent with my expectations of
finding you there on my return on Wednesday next: that Mrs. Sinclair and
her nieces, having incurred your just displeasure, shall not, without
your orders, come into your presence: that neither shall Dorcas, till she
has fully cleared her conduct to your satisfaction, be permitted to
attend you: but Mabell, in her place; of whom you seemed some time ago to
express some liking. Will. I have left behind me to attend your
commands. If he be either negligent or impertinent, your dismission
shall be a dismission of him from my service for ever. But, as to
letters which may be sent you, or any which you may have to send, I must
humbly entreat, that none such pass from or to you, for the few days that
I shall be absent.' But I do assure you, madam, that the seals of both
sorts shall be sacred: and the letters, if such be sent, shall be given
into your own hands the moment the ceremony is performed, or before, if
you require it.

Mean time I will inquire, and send you word, how Miss Howe does; and to
what, if I can be informed, her long silence is owing.

Dr. Perkins I found here, attending my Lord, when I arrived with Dr. S.
He acquaints me that your father, mother, uncles, and the still less
worthy persons of your family, are well; and intend to be all at your
uncle Harlowe's next week; I presume, with intent to keep his
anniversary. This can make no alteration, but a happy one, as to
persons, on Thursday; because Mr. Tomlinson assured me, that if any thi