to your uncle's friend, and what he is to say
to your uncle.--Any thing will I come into, (renounce me, if you will,)
that shall make for your peace, and for the reconciliation your heart was
so lately set upon. But I humbly conceive, that it is necessary that you
should come into better temper with me, were it but to give a favourable
appearance to what has passed, and weight to any future application to
your friends, in whatever way you shall think proper to make it.

I then put the letters into her lap, and retired into the next apartment
with a low bow, and a very solemn air.

I was soon followed by the two women. Mrs. Moore withdrew to give the
fair perverse time to read them: Miss Rawlins for the same reason, and
because she was sent for home.

The widow besought her speedy return. I joined in the same request; and
she was ready enough to promise to oblige us.

I excused myself to Mrs. Moore for the disguise I had appeared in at
first, and for the story I had invented. I told her that I held myself
obliged to satisfy her for the whole floor we were upon; and for an upper
room for my servant, and that for a month certain.

She made many scruples, and begged she might not be urged, on this head,
till she had consulted Miss Rawlins.

I consented; but told her, that she had taken my earnest, and I hoped
there was no room for dispute.

Just then Miss Rawlins returned, with an air of eager curiosity; and
having been told what had passed between Mrs. Moore and me, she gave
herself airs of office immediately: which I humoured, plainly perceiving
that if I had her with me I had the other.

She wished, if there were time for it, and if it were not quite
impertinent in her to desire it, that I would give Mrs. Moore and her a
brief history of an affair, which, as she said, bore the face of novelty,
mystery, and surprise. For sometimes it looked to her as if we were
married; at other times that point appeared doubtful; and yet the lady
did not absolutely deny it, but, upon the whole, thought herself highly
injured.

I said that our's was a very particular case.--That, were I to acquaint
them with it, some part of it would hardly appear credible. But,
however, as they seemed hardly to be persons of discretion, I would give
them a brief account of the whole; and this in so plain and sincere a
manner, that it should clear up, to their satisfaction, every thing that
had passed, or might hereafter pass between us.