ces, we see, that law and gospel are two very different
things.

Dorcas, in our absence, tried to get at the wainscot-box in the dark
closet. But it cannot be done without violence. And to run a risk of
consequence now, for mere curiosity-sake, would be inexcusable.

Mrs. Sinclair and the nymphs are all of opinion, that I am now so much a
favourite, and have such a visible share in her confidence, and even in
her affections, that I may do what I will, and plead for excuse violence
of passion; which, they will have it, makes violence of action pardonable
with their sex; as well as allowed extenuation with the unconcerned of
both sexes; and they all offer their helping hands. Why not? they say:
Has she not passed for my wife before them all?--And is she not in a fine
way of being reconciled to her friends?--And was not the want of that
reconciliation the pretence for postponing the consummation?

They again urge me, since it is so difficult to make night my friend, to
an attempt in the day. They remind me, that the situation of their house
is such, that no noises can be heard out of it; and ridicule me for
making it necessary for a lady to be undressed. It was not always so
with me, poor old man! Sally told me; saucily flinging her handkerchief
in my face.

LETTER X

MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.
FRIDAY, JUNE 2.

Notwithstanding my studied-for politeness and complaisance for some days
past; and though I have wanted courage to throw the mask quite aside; yet
I have made the dear creature more than once look about her, by the warm,
though decent expression of my passion. I have brought her to own, that
I am more than indifferent with her: but as to LOVE, which I pressed her
to acknowledge, what need of acknowledgments of that sort, when a woman
consents to marrying?--And once repulsing me with displeasure, the proof
of true love I was vowing for her, was RESPECT, not FREEDOM. And
offering to defend myself, she told me, that all the conception she had
been able to form of a faulty passion, was, that it must demonstrate
itself as mine sought to do.

I endeavoured to justify my passion, by laying over-delicacy at her door.
Over-delicacy, she said, was not my fault, if it were her's. She must
plainly tell me, that I appeared to her incapable of distinguishing what
were the requisites of a pure mind. Perhaps, had the libertine
presumption to imagine, that there was no difference in heart, nor any
bu