breaking the seal, [for, dispatched in a
hurry, it had no cover,] there stood he, laughing, shrugging, playing off
his legs; now stroking his shining chin, now turning his hat upon his
thumb! then leering in my face, flourishing with his head--O Christ!
now-and-then cried the rascal--

What joy has this dog in mischief!--More than I can have in the
completion of my most favourite purposes!--These fellows are ever happier
than their masters.

I was once thinking to rumple up this billet till I had broken the seal.
Young families [Miss Howe's is not an ancient one] love ostentatious
sealings: and it might have been supposed to have been squeezed in pieces
in old Grimes's breeches-pocket. But I was glad to be saved the guilt as
well as suspicion of having a hand in so dirty a trick; for thus much of
the contents (enough for my purpose) I was enabled to scratch out in
character without it; the folds depriving me only of a few connecting
words, which I have supplied between hooks.

My Miss Harlowe, thou knowest, had before changed her name to Miss
Laetitia Beaumont. Another alias now, Jack, to it; for this billet was
directed to her by the name of Mrs. Harriot Lucas. I have learned her to
be half a rogue, thou seest.

'I congratulate you, my dear, with all my heart and soul, upon [your
escape] from the villain. [I long] for the particulars of all. [My
mother] is out; but, expecting her return every minute, I dispatched
[your] messenger instantly. [I will endeavour to come at] Mrs. Townsend
without loss of time; and will write at large in a day or two, if in that
time I can see her. [Mean time I] am excessively uneasy for a letter I
sent you yesterday by Collins, [who must have left it at] Wilson's after
you got away. [It is of very] great importance. [I hope the] villain
has it not. I would not for the world [that he should.] Immediately
send for it, if, by doing so, the place you are at [will not be]
discovered. If he has it, let me know it by some way [out of] hand. If
not, you need not send.

'Ever, ever your's,
'A.H.
'June 9.'

***

O Jack! what heart's-ease does this interception give me!--I sent the
rascal back with the letter to old Grimes, and charged him to drink no
deeper. He owned, that he was half-seas over, as he phrased it.

Dog! said I, are you not to court one of Mrs. Moore's maids to-night?--

Cry your mercy, Sir!--I will be sober.--I had forgot that--but old Grimes
is plagu