acquiesced with what he had proposed; and had already properly cautioned
the gentlewomen of the house, and their servants, as well as our own: and
to tell him, That if he would in person give me the blessing of his dear
niece's hand, it would crown the wishes of both. In this case, I
consented, that his own day, as I presumed it would be a short one,
should be ours: that by this means the secret would be with fewer
persons: that I myself, as well as he, thought the ceremony could not be
too privately performed; and this not only for the sake of the wise end
he had proposed to answer by it, but because I would not have Lord M.
think himself slighted; since that nobleman, as I had told him [the
Captain] had once intended to be our nuptial-father; and actually made
the offer; but that we had declined to accept of it, and that for no
other reason than to avoid a public wedding; which his beloved niece
would not come into, while she was in disgrace with her friends. But
that if he chose not to do us this honour, I wished that Captain
Tomlinson might be the trusty person whom he would have be present on the
happy occasion.'

I showed this letter to my fair-one. She was not displeased with it.
So, Jack, we cannot now move too fast, as to settlements and license: the
day is her uncle's day, or Captain Tomlinson's, perhaps, as shall best
suit the occasion. Miss Howe's smuggling scheme is now surely provided
against in all events.

But I will not by anticipation make thee a judge of all the benefits that
may flow from this my elaborate contrivance. Why will these girls put me
upon my master-strokes?

And now for a little mine which I am getting ready to spring. The first
that I have sprung, and at the rate I go on (now a resolution, and now a
remorse) perhaps the last that I shall attempt to spring.

A little mine, I call it. But it may be attended with great effects. I
shall not, however, absolutely depend upon the success of it, having much
more effectual ones in reserve. And yet great engines are often moved by
small springs. A little spark falling by accident into a powder-magazine,
hath done more execution in a siege, than an hundred cannon.

Come the worst, the hymeneal torch, and a white sheet, must be my amende
honorable, as the French have it.

LETTER XIII

MR. BELFORD, TO ROBERT LOVELACE, ESQ.
TUESDAY, JUNE 6.

Unsuccessful as hitherto my application to you has been, I cannot for the
heart of m