at the time, not to blame.

This lady, Sir, could give no such advantages: and if she had, what must
the man be, Captain Tomlinson, who could have taken them?--Do you know
the lady, Sir?

I never had the honour to see her but once; and that was at a church; and
should not know her again.

Not know her again, Sir!--I thought there was not a man living who had
once seen her, and would not know her among a thousand.

I remember, Sir, that I thought I never saw a finer woman in my life.
But, Mr. Lovelace, I believe, you will allow, that it is better that her
relations should have wronged you, than you the lady, I hope, Sir, you
will permit me to repeat my question.

Enter Dorcas, in a hurry.

A gentleman, this minute, Sir, desires to speak with your honour--[My
lady, Sir!--Aside.]

Could the dear creature put Dorcas upon telling this fib, yet want to
save me one?

Desire the gentleman to walk into one of the parlours. I will wait upon
him presently.

[Exit Dorcas.

The dear creature, I doubted not, wanted to instruct me how to answer
the Captain's home put. I knew how I intended to answer it--plumb, thou
may'st be sure--but Dorcas's message staggered me. And yet I was upon
one of my master-strokes--which was, to take advantage of the captain's
inquiries, and to make her own her marriage before him, as she had done
to the people below; and if she had been brought to that, to induce her,
for her uncle's satisfaction, to write him a letter of gratitude; which
of course must have been signed Clarissa Lovelace. I was loth,
therefore, thou may'st believe, to attend her sudden commands: and yet,
afraid of pushing matters beyond recovery with her, I thought proper to
lead him from the question, to account for himself and for Mr. Harlowe's
coming to the knowledge of where we are; and for other particulars which
I knew would engage her attention; and which might possibly convince her
of the necessity there was for her to acquiesce in the affirmative I was
disposed to give. And this for her own sake; For what, as I asked her
afterwards, is it to me, whether I am ever reconciled to her family?--A
family, Jack, which I must for ever despise.

You think, Captain, that I have answered doubtfully to the question you
put. You may think so. And you must know, that I have a good deal of
pride; and, only that you are a gentleman, and seem in this affair to be
governed by generous motives, or I should ill brook being in