r of the Harlowe family; I railed
against them all; the Captain taking his dear friend Mr. John Harlowe's
part; with a Not so fast!--not so fast, young gentleman!--and the like
free assumptions.

He accounted for their animosity by my defiances: no good family, having
such a charming daughter, would care to be defied, instead of courted: he
must speak his mind: never was a double-tongued man.--He appealed to the
ladies, if he were not right?

He got them on his side.

The correction I had given the brother, he told me, must have aggravated
matters.

How valiant this made me look to the women!--The sex love us mettled
fellows at their hearts.

Be that as it would, I should never love any of the family but my spouse;
and wanting nothing from them, I would not, but for her sake, have gone
so far as I had gone towards a reconciliation.

This was very good of me; Mrs. Moore said.

Very good indeed; Miss Rawlins.

Good;--It is more than good; it is very generous; said the widow.

Capt. Why so it is, I must needs say: for I am sensible that Mr.
Lovelace has been rudely treated by them all--more rudely, than it could
have been imagined a man of his quality and spirit would have put up
with. But then, Sir, [turning to me,] I think you are amply rewarded in
such a lady; and that you ought to forgive the father for the daughter's
sake.

Mrs. Moore. Indeed so I think.

Miss R. So must every one think who has seen the lady.

Widow B. A fine lady, to be sure! But she has a violent spirit; and
some very odd humours too, by what I have heard. The value of good
husbands is not known till they are lost!

Her conscience then drew a sigh from her.

Lovel. Nobody must reflect upon my angel!--An angel she is--some little
blemishes, indeed, as to her over-hasty spirit, and as to her unforgiving
temper. But this she has from the Harlowes; instigated too by that Miss
Howe.--But her innumerable excellencies are all her own.

Capt. Ay, talk of spirit, there's a spirit, now you have named Miss
Howe! [And so I led him to confirm all I had said of that vixen.] Yet
she was to be pitied too; looking with meaning at me.

As I have already hinted, I had before agreed with him to impute secret
love occasionally to Miss Howe, as the best means to invalidate all that
might come from her in my disfavour.

Capt. Mr. Lovelace, but that I know your modesty, or you could give a
reason--

Lovel. Looking down, and ver