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

me to have your marriage confirmed from your own mouth, before he take the steps he is inclined to take in his niece's favour. You will allow me to say, Mr. Lovelace, that he will not be satisfied with an answer that admits of the least doubt.
    Let me tell you, Captain Tomlinson, that it is a high degree of vileness for any man to suppose--
    Sir--Mr. Lovelace--don't put yourself into a passion. The lady's relations are jealous of the honour of their family. They have prejudices to overcome as well as you--advantage may have been taken--and the lady, at the time, not to blame.
    This lady, Sir, could give no such advantages: and if she had, what must the man be, Captain Tomlinson, who could have taken them?--Do you know the lady, Sir?
    I never had the honour to see her but once; and that was at a church; and should not know her again.
    Not know her again, Sir!--I thought there was not a man living who had once seen her, and would not know her among a thousand.
    I remember, Sir, that I thought I never saw a finer woman in my life. But, Mr. Lovelace, I believe, you will allow, that it is better that her relations should have wronged you, than you the lady, I hope, Sir, you will permit me to repeat my question.
    Enter Dorcas, in a hurry.
    A gentleman, this minute, Sir, desires to speak with your honour--[My
lady, Sir!--Aside.]
    Could the dear creature put Dorcas upon telling this fib, yet want to
save me one?
    Desire the gentleman to walk into one of the parlours. I will wait upon
him presently.
    [Exit Dorcas.
    The dear creature, I doubted not, wanted to instruct me how to answer the Captain's home put. I knew how I intended to answer it--plumb, thou may'st be sure--but Dorcas's message staggered me. And yet I was upon one of my master-strokes--which was, to take advantage of the captain's inquiries, and to make her own her marriage before him, as she had done to the people below; and if she had been brought to that, to induce her, for her uncle's satisfaction, to write him a letter of gratitude; which of course must have been signed Clarissa Lovelace. I was loth, therefore, thou may'st believe, to attend her sudden commands: and yet, afraid of pushing matters beyond recovery with her, I thought proper to lead him from the question, to account for himself and for Mr. Harlowe's coming to the knowledge of where we are; and for other particulars which I knew would engage her attention; and which might possibly convince her of the necessity there was for her to acquiesce in the affirmative I was disposed to give. And this for her own sake; For what, as I asked her afterwards, is it to me, whether I am ever reconciled to her family?--A family, Jack, which I must for ever despise.
    You think, Captain, that I have answered doubtfully to the question you put. You may think so. And you must know, that I have a good deal of pride; and, only that you are a gentleman, and seem in this affair to be governed by generous motives, or I should ill brook being interrogated as to my honour to a lady so dear to me.--But before I answer more directly to the point, pray satisfy me in a question or two that I shall put to you.
    With all my heart, Sir. Ask me what questions you please, I will answer them with sincerity and candour.
    You say, Mr. Harlowe has found out that we were at a play together: and that we were both in the same lodgings--How, pray, came he at his knowledge?--for, let me tell you, that I have, for certain considerations, (not respecting myself, I will assure you,) condescended that our abode should be kept secret. And this has been so strictly observed, that even Miss Howe, though she and my beloved correspond, knows not directly where to send to us.
    Why, Sir, the person who saw you at the play, was a tenant of Mr. John Harlowe. He watched all your motions. When the play was done, he followed your coach to your lodgings. And early the next day, Sunday, he took horse, and acquainted his landlord with what he had observed.
    Lovel. How