d so I told my mother. And I have desired her not to watch me
in my retired hours; nor to insist upon my lying with her constantly,
which she now does more earnestly than ever. 'Twere better, I told her,
that the Harlowe-Betty were borrowed to be set over me.

Mr. Hickman, who so greatly honours you, has, unknown to me, interposed
so warmly in your favour with my mother, that it makes for him no small
merit with me.

I cannot, at present, write to every particular, unless I would be in
set defiance. Tease, tease, tease, for ever! The same thing, though
answered fifty times over, in every hour to be repeated--Lord bless
me! what a life must my poor father--But let me remember to whom I am
writing.

If this ever-active, ever-mischievous monkey of a man, this Lovelace,
contrived as you suspect--But here comes my mother again--Ay, stay a
little longer, my Mamma, if you please--I can but be suspected! I can
but be chidden for making you wait; and chidden I am sure to be, whether
I do or not, in the way you, my good Mamma, are Antony'd into.

Bless me! how impatient she is! How she thunders at the door! This
moment, Madam! How came I to double-lock myself if! What have I done
with the key! Duce take the key! Dear Madam! You flutter one so!

*****

You may believe, my dear, that I took care of my papers before I opened
the door. We have had a charming dialogue--She flung from me in a
passion--

So--What's now to be done? Sent for down in a very peremptory manner,
I assure you. What an incoherent letter will you have, when I get it
to you! But now I know where to send it, Mr. Hickman shall find me a
messenger. Yet, if he be detected, poor soul, he will be Harlowed-off,
as well as his meek mistress.

THURSDAY, APRIL 13.

I have this moment your continuation-letter. And am favoured, at
present, with the absence of my Argus-eyes mother.--

Dear creature! I can account for all your difficulties. A young lady of
your delicacy!--And with such a man!--I must be brief----

The man's a fool, my dear, with all his pride, and with all his
complaisance, and affected regards to your injunctions. Yet his ready
inventions----

Sometimes I think you should go to Lady Betty's. I know not what to
advise you to do.--I should, if you were not so intent upon reconciling
yourself to your relations. Yet they are implacable. You can have no
hopes of them. Your uncle's errand to my mother may convince you of
that; ad if you have a