hinder it, on any other terms
than those their hearts had been so long set upon?

How they took your flight, when they found it out, may be better
supposed than described.

Your aunt Hervey, it seems, was the first that went down to the ivy
summer-house, in order to acquaint you that their search was over.
Betty followed her; and they not finding you there, went on towards the
cascade, according to a hint of yours.

Returning by the garden-door, they met a servant [they don't say, it was
Joseph Leman; but it is very likely that it was he] running, as he said,
from pursuing Mr. Lovelace (a great hedge-stake in his hand, and out of
breath) to alarm the family.

If it were this fellow, and if he were employed in the double agency of
cheating them, and cheating you, what shall we think of the wretch you
are with? Run away from him, my dear, if so--no matter to whom--or marry
him, if you cannot.

Your aunt and all your family were accordingly alarmed by this
fellow--evidently when too late for pursuit. They got together, and when
a posse, ran to the place of interview; and some of them as far as to
the tracks of the chariot wheels, without stopping. And having heard the
man's tale upon the spot, a general lamentation, a mutual upbraiding,
and rage, and grief, were echoed from the different persons, according
to their different tempers and conceptions. And they returned like fools
as they went.

Your brother, at first, ordered horses and armed men to be got ready for
a pursuit. Solmes and your uncle Tony were to be of the party. But your
mother and your aunt Hervey dissuaded them from it, for fear of adding
evil to evil; not doubting but Lovelace had taken measures to support
himself in what he had done; and especially when the servant declared,
that he saw you run with him as fast as you could set foot to the
ground; and that there were several armed men on horseback at a small
distance off.

*****

My mother's absence was owing to her suspicion, that the Knolly's were
to assist in our correspondence. She made them a visit upon it. She does
every thing at once. And they have promised, that no more letters shall
be left there, without her knowledge.

But Mr. Hickman has engaged one Filmer, a husbandman in the lane we call
Finch-lane, near us, to receive them. Thither you will be pleased to
direct yours, under cover, to Mr. John Soberton; and Mr. Hickman himself
will call for them there; and there shall leave