as Ajax did to
Achilles:

----Do not chafe thee, cousin:
----And let these threats alone,
Till accident or purpose bring thee to it.

All that vexes me, in the midst of my gloried-in devices, is, that there
is a sorry fellow in the world, who has presumed to question, whether the
prize, when obtained, is worthy of the pains it costs me: yet knows, with
what patience and trouble a bird-man will spread an acre of ground with
gins and snares; set up his stalking horse, his glasses; plant his decoy-
birds, and invite the feathered throng by his whistle; and all his prize
at last (the reward of early hours, and of a whole morning's pains) only
a simple linnet.

To be serious, Belford, I must acknowledge, that all our pursuits, from
childhood to manhood, are only trifles of different sort and sizes,
proportioned to our years and views: but then is not a fine woman the
noblest trifle, that ever was or could be obtained by man?--And to what
purpose do we say obtained, if it be not in the way we wish for?--If a man
is rather to be her prize, than she his?

***

And now, Belford, what dost think?

That thou art a cursed fellow, if--

If--no if's--but I shall be very sick to-morrow. I shall, 'faith.

Sick!--Why sick? What a-devil shouldst thou be sick for?

For more good reasons than one, Jack.

I should be glad to hear but one.--Sick, quotha! Of all thy roguish
inventions I should not have thought of this.

Perhaps thou thinkest my view to be, to draw the lady to my bedside.
That's a trick of three or four thousand years old; and I should find it
much more to my purpose, if I could get to her's. However, I'll
condescend to make thee as wise as myself.

I am excessively disturbed about this smuggling scheme of Miss Howe. I
have no doubt, that my fair-one, were I to make an attempt, and miscarry,
will fly from me, if she can. I once believed she loved me: but now I
doubt whether she does or not: at least, that it is with such an ardour,
as Miss Howe calls it, as will make her overlook a premeditated fault,
should I be guilty of one.

And what will being sick do for thee?

Have patience. I don't intend to be so very bad as Dorcas shall
represent me to be. But yet I know I shall reach confoundedly, and bring
up some clotted blood. To be sure, I shall break a vessel: there's no
doubt of that: and a bottle of Eaton's styptic shall be sent for; but no
doctor. If she has humanity, she w