t this made him
desirous of a private conversation with her.

It was true, she said, she had given her consent to such an expedient,
believing it was her uncle's; and little thinking that it would lead to
so many errors. Yet she might have known that one error is frequently
the parent of many. Mr. Lovelace had made her sensible of the truth of
that observation, on more occasions than one; and it was an observation
that he, the Captain, had made, in one of the letters that was shown her
yesterday.*

* See Letter XXIV.

He hoped that she had no mistrust of him: that she had no doubt of his
honour. If, Madam, you suspect me--if you think me capable--what a man!
the Lord be merciful to me!--What a man must you think me!

I hope, Sir, there cannot be a man in the world who could deserve to be
suspected in such a case as this. I do not suspect you. If it were
possible there could be one such a man, I am sure, Captain Tomlinson, a
father of children, a man in years, of sense and experience, cannot be
that man.

He told me, that just then, he thought he felt a sudden flash from her
eye, an eye-beam as he called it, dart through his shivering reins; and
he could not help trembling.

The dog's conscience, Jack!--Nothing else!--I have felt half a dozen such
flashes, such eye-beams, in as many different conversations with this
soul-piercing beauty.

Her uncle, she must own, was not accustomed to think of such expedients;
but she had reconciled this to herself, as the case was unhappily
uncommon; and by the regard he had for her honour.

This set the puppy's heart at ease, and gave him more courage.

She asked him if he thought Lady Betty and Miss Montague intended her a
visit?

He had no doubt but they did.

And does he imagine, said she, that I could be brought to countenance to
them the report you have given out?

[I had hoped to bring her to this, Jack, or she had seen their letters.
But I had told the Captain that I believed I must give up this
expectation.]

No.--He believed that I had not such a thought. He was pretty sure, that
I intended, when I saw them, to tell them, (as in confidence,) the naked
truth.

He then told her that her uncle had already made some steps towards a
general reconciliation. The moment, Madam, that he knows you are really
married, he will enter into confidence with your father upon it; having
actually expressed to your mother his desire to be reconciled to you.

And wh