truly] premeditation. I owned that I was hurried on by
the violence of a youthful passion, and by a sudden impulse, which few
other persons, in the like situation, would have been able to check: that
I withdrew, at her command and entreaty, on the promise of pardon,
without having offered the least indecency, or any freedom, that would
not have been forgiven by persons of delicacy, surprised in an attitude
so charming--her terror, on the alarm of fire, calling for a soothing
behaviour, and personal tenderness, she being ready to fall into fits: my
hoped-for happy day so near, that I might be presumed to be looked upon
as a betrothed lover--and that this excuse might be pleaded even for the
women of the house, that they, thinking us actually married, might
suppose themselves to be the less concerned to interfere on so tender an
occasion.--[There, Jack, was a bold insinuation on behalf of the women!]

High indignation filled her disdainful eye, eye-beam after eye-beam
flashing at me. Every feature of her sweet face had soul in it. Yet she
spoke not. Perhaps, Jack, she had a thought, that this plea for the
women accounted for my contrivance to have her pass to them as married,
when I first carried her thither.

Capt. Indeed, Sir, I must say that you did not well to add to the
apprehensions of a lady so much terrified before.

The dear creature offered to go by me. I set my back against the door,
and besought her to stay a few moments. I had not said thus much, my
dearest creature, but for your sake, as well as for my own, that Captain
Tomlinson should not think I had been viler than I was. Nor will I say
one word more on the subject, after I have appealed to your own heart,
whether it was not necessary that I should say so much; and to the
Captain, whether otherwise he would not have gone away with a much worse
opinion of me, if he had judged of my offence by the violence of your
resentment.

Capt. Indeed I should. I own I should. And I am very glad, Mr.
Lovelace, that you are able to defend yourself thus far.

Cl. That cause must be well tried, where the offender takes his seat
upon the same bench with the judge.--I submit not mine to men--nor, give
me leave to say, to you, Captain Tomlinson, though I am willing to have a
good opinion of you. Had not the man been assured that he had influenced
you in his favour, he would not have brought you up to Hampstead.

Capt. That I am influenced, as you call