ems to await us.

Her duty and her gratitude, she gravely said, to the Dispenser of all
good, would secure her, she hoped, against unthankfulness. And a
thankful spirit was the same as a joyful one.

So, Belford, for all her future joys she depends entirely upon the
invisible Good. She is certainly right; since those who fix least upon
second causes are the least likely to be disappointed--And is not this
gravity for her gravity?

She had hardly done speaking, when Dorcas came running up in a hurry--
she set even my heart into a palpitation--thump, thump, thump, like a
precipitated pendulum in a clock-case--flutter, flutter, flutter, my
charmer's, as by her sweet bosom rising to her chin I saw.

This lower class of people, my beloved herself observed, were for ever
aiming at the stupid wonderful, and for making even common incidents
matter of surprise.

Why the devil, said I to the wench, this alarming hurry?--And with your
spread fingers, and your O Madams, and O Sirs!--and be cursed to you!
Would there have been a second of time difference, had you come up
slowly?

Captain Tomlinson, Sir!

Captain Devilson, what care I?--Do you see how you have disordered your
lady?

Good Mr. Lovelace, said my charmer, trembling [see, Jack, when she has an
end to serve, I am good Mr. Lovelace,] if--if my brother,--if Captain
Singleton should appear--pray now--I beseech you--let me beg of you--to
govern your temper--My brother is my brother--Captain Singleton is but an
agent.

My dearest life, folding my arms about her, [when she asks favours,
thought I, the devil's in it, if she will not allow such an innocent
freedom as this, from good Mr. Lovelace too,] you shall be witness of all
passes between us.--Dorcas, desire the gentleman to walk up.

Let me retire to my chamber first!--Let me not be known to be in the
house!

Charming dear!--Thou seest, Belford, she is afraid of leaving me!--O the
little witchcrafts! Were it not for surprises now-and-then, how would an
honest man know where to have them?

She withdrew to listen.--And though this incident has not turned out to
answer all I wished from it, yet is it not necessary, if I would acquaint
thee with my whole circulation, to be very particular in what passed
between Captain Tomlinson and me.

Enter Captain Tomlinson, in a riding-dress, whip in hand.

Your servant, Sir,--Mr. Lovelace, I presume?

My name is Lovelace, Sir.

Excuse the day, Sir.--Be pleased to