ccidental emanations of it
amiable in Tomlinson, though demonstrated in a female case; and judging
better of him for being capable of such?

LETTER XXXVI

MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.

This debate between the Captain and me was hardly over when the three
women, led by Miss Rawlins, entered, hoping no intrusion, but very
desirous, the maiden said, to know if we were likely to accommodate.

O yes, I hope so. You know, Ladies, that your sex must, in these cases,
preserve their forms. They must be courted to comply with their own
happiness. A lucky expedient we have hit upon. The uncle has his doubts
of our marriage. He cannot believe, nor will any body, that it is
possible that a man so much in love, the lady so desirable--

They all took the hint. It was a very extraordinary case, the two widows
allowed. Women, Jack, [as I believe I have observed* elsewhere,] have a
high opinion of what they can do for us. Miss Rawlins desired, if I
pleased, to let them know the expedient; and looked as if there was no
need to proceed in the rest of my speech.

* See Letter XXIV. of this volume.

I begged that they would not let the lady know I had told them what this
expedient was; and they should hear it.

They promised.

It was this: that to oblige and satisfy Mr. Harlowe, the ceremony was to
be again performed. He was to be privately present, and to give his
niece to me with his own hands--and she was retired to consider of it.

Thou seest, Jack, that I have provided an excuse, to save my veracity to
the women here, in case I should incline to marriage, and she should
choose to have Miss Rawlins's assistance at the ceremony. Nor doubted I
to bring my fair-one to save my credit on this occasion, if I could get
her to consent to be mine.

A charming expedient! cried the widow. They were all three ready to clap
their hands for joy upon it. Women love to be married twice at least,
Jack; though not indeed to the same man. And all blessed the
reconciliatory scheme and the proposer of it; and, supposing it came from
the Captain, they looked at him with pleasure, while his face shined with
the applause implied. He should think himself very happy, if he could
bring about a general reconciliation; and he flourished with his head
like my man Will. on his victory over old Grimes; bridling by turns, like
Miss Rawlins in the height of a prudish fit.

But now it was time for the Captain to think of return