Clarissa Harlowe or the History of a Young Lady - Volume 5 Read Online Free PDF Page A

your
lady?
    Good Mr. Lovelace, said my charmer, trembling [see, Jack, when she has an end to serve, I am good Mr. Lovelace,] if--if my brother,--if Captain Singleton should appear--pray now--I beseech you--let me beg of you--to govern your temper--My brother is my brother--Captain Singleton is but an agent.
    My dearest life, folding my arms about her, [when she asks favours, thought I, the devil's in it, if she will not allow such an innocent freedom as this, from good Mr. Lovelace too,] you shall be witness of all passes between us.--Dorcas, desire the gentleman to walk up.
    Let me retire to my chamber first!--Let me not be known to be in the
house!
    Charming dear!--Thou seest, Belford, she is afraid of leaving me!--O the little witchcrafts! Were it not for surprises now-and-then, how would an honest man know where to have them?
    She withdrew to listen.--And though this incident has not turned out to answer all I wished from it, yet is it not necessary, if I would acquaint thee with my whole circulation, to be very particular in what passed between Captain Tomlinson and me.
    Enter Captain Tomlinson, in a riding-dress, whip in hand.
    Your servant, Sir,--Mr. Lovelace, I presume?
    My name is Lovelace, Sir.
    Excuse the day, Sir.--Be pleased to excuse my garb. I am obliged to go out of town directly, that I may return at night.
    The day is a good day. Your garb needs no apology.
    When I sent my servant, I did not know that I should find time to do myself this honour. All that I thought I could do to oblige my friend this journey, was only to assure myself of your abode; and whether there was a probability of being admitted to the speech of either you, or your lady.
    Sir, you best know your own motives. What your time will permit you to do, you also best know. And here I am, attending your pleasure.
    My charmer owned afterwards her concern on my being so short. Whatever I shall mingle of her emotions, thou wilt easily guess I had afterwards.
    Sir, I hope no offence. I intend none.
    None--None at all, Sir.
    Sir, I have no interest in the affair I come about. I may appear officious; and if I thought I should, I would decline any concern in it, after I have just hinted what it is.
    And pray, Sir, what is it?
    May I ask you, Sir, without offence, whether you wish to be reconciled, and to co-operate upon honourable terms, with one gentleman of the name of Harlowe; preparative, as it may be hoped, to a general reconciliation?
    O how my heart fluttered! cried my charmer.
    I can't tell, Sir--[and then it fluttered still more, no doubt:] The whole family have used me extremely ill. They have taken greater liberties with my character than are justifiable; and with my family too; which I can less forgive.
    Sir, Sir, I have done. I beg pardon for this intrusion.
    My beloved was then ready to sink, and thought very hardly of me.
    But, pray, Sir, to the immediate purpose of your present commission; since a commission it seems to be?
    It is a commission, Sir; and such a one, as I thought would be agreeable to all parties, or I should not have given myself concern about it.
    Perhaps it may, Sir, when known. But let me ask you one previous question--Do you know Colonel Morden, Sir?
    No, Sir. If you mean personally, I do not. But I have heard my good friend Mr. John Harlowe talk of him with great respect; and such a co-trustee with him in a certain trust.
    Lovel. I thought it probable, Sir, that the Colonel might be arrived; that you might be a gentleman of his acquaintance; and that something of an agreeable surprise might be intended.
    Capt. Had Colonel Morden been in England, Mr. John Harlowe would have known it; and then I should not have been a stranger to it.
    Lovel. Well but, Sir, have you then any commission to me from Mr. John
Harlowe?
    Capt. Sir, I will tell you, as briefly as I can, the whole of what I have to say; but you'll excuse me also in a previous question, for what curiosity is not my motive; but it is necessary to be answered