company with Mr. Lilburne, I had no
way but to confirm the report.--And I understand, that Lady Betty takes
it amiss that she was not acquainted with so desirable a piece of news
from yourself.

* What is between hooks [ ] thou mayest suppose, Jack, I sunk upon the
women, in the account I gave them of the contents of this letter.

Her Ladyship, it seems, has business that calls her to town [and you will
possibly choose to put her right. If you do, it will, I presume, be in
confidence; that nothing may transpire from your own family to contradict
what I have given out.]

[I have ever been of opinion, That truth ought to be strictly adhered to
on all occasions: and am concerned that I have, (though with so good a
view,) departed from my old maxim. But my dear friend Mr. John Harlowe
would have it so. Yet I never knew a departure of this kind a single
departure. But, to make the best of it now, allow me, Sir, once more to
beg the lady, as soon as possible, to authenticate the report given out.]
When both you and the lady join in the acknowledgement of your marriage,
it will be impertinent in any one to be inquisitive as to the day or
week. [And if as privately celebrated as you intend, (while the
gentlewomen with whom you lodge are properly instructed, as you say they
are, and who shall actually believe you were married long ago,) who shall
be able to give a contradiction to my report?]

And yet it is very probable, that minute inquiries will be made; and this
is what renders precaution necessary; for Mr. James Harlowe will not
believe that you are married; and is sure, he says, that you both lived
together when Mr. Hickman's application was made to Mr. John Harlowe: and
if you lived together any time unmarried, he infers from your character,
Mr. Lovelace, that it is not probable that you would ever marry. And he
leaves it to his two uncles to decide, if you even should be married,
whether there be not room to believe, that his sister was first
dishonoured; and if so, to judge of the title she will have to their
favour, or to the forgiveness of any of her family.--I believe, Sir, this
part of my letter had best be kept from the lady.

Young Mr. Harlowe is resolved to find this out, and to come at his
sister's speech likewise: and for that purpose sets out to-morrow, as I
am well informed, with a large attendance armed; and Mr. Solmes is to be
of the party. And what makes him the more earnest to find it out i