the face; and still the more, as my fate seems to be
drawing to a crisis, according to the malediction of my offended father!

And then she burst into tears, which even affected that dog, who, brought
to abet me, was himself all Belforded over.

The women, so used to cry without grief, as they are to laugh without
reason, by mere force of example, [confound their promptitudes;] must
needs pull out their handkerchiefs. The less wonder, however, as I
myself, between confusion, surprise, and concern, could hardly stand it.

What's a tender heart good for?--Who can be happy that has a feeling
heart?--And yet, thou'lt say, that he who has it not, must be a tiger,
and no man.

Capt. Let me beg the favour of one word with you, Madam, in private;
and that on my own account.

The women hereupon offered to retire. She insisted that, if they went,
I should not stay.

Capt. Sir, bowing to me, shall I beg--

I hope, thought I, that I may trust this solemn dog, instructed as he is.
She does not doubt him. I'll stay out no longer than to give her time to
spend her first fire.

I then passively withdrew with the women.--But with such a bow to my
goddess, that it won for me every heart but that I wanted most to win;
for the haughty maid bent not her knee in return.

The conversation between the Captain and the lady, when we were retired,
was to the following effect:--They both talked loud enough for me to hear
them--the lady from anger, the Captain with design; and thou mayest be
sure there was no listener but myself. What I was imperfect in was
supplied afterwards; for I had my vellum-leaved book to note all down.
If she had known this, perhaps she would have been more sparing of her
invectives--and but perhaps neither.

He told her that as her brother was absolutely resolved to see her; and
as he himself, in compliance with her uncle's expedient, had reported her
marriage; and as that report had reached the ears of Lord M., Lady Betty,
and the rest of my relations; and as he had been obliged, in consequence
of his first report, to vouch it; and as her brother might find out where
she was, and apply to the women here for a confirmation or refutation of
the marriage; he had thought himself obliged to countenance the report
before the women. That this had embarrassed him not a little, as he
would not for the world that she should have cause to think him capable
of prevarication, contrivance, or double dealing; and tha