ing to town, having
a great deal of business to dispatch before morning. Nor was he certain
that he should be able again to attend us at Hampstead before he went
home.

And yet, as every thing was drawing towards a crisis, I did not intend
that he should leave Hampstead that night.

A message to the above effect was carried up, at my desire, by Mrs.
Moore; with the Captain's compliments, and to know if she had any
commands for him to her uncle?

But I hinted to the women, that it would be proper for them to withdraw,
if the lady did come down; lest she should not care to be so free before
them on a proposal so particular, as she would be to us, who had offered
it to her consideration.

Mrs. Moore brought down word that the lady was following her. They all
three withdrew; and she entered at one door, as they went out at the
other.

The Captain accosted her, repeating the contents of the message sent up;
and desired that she would give him her commands in relation to the
report he was to make to her uncle Harlowe.

I know not what to say, Sir, nor what I would have you to say, to my
uncle--perhaps you may have business in town--perhaps you need not see my
uncle till I have heard from Miss Howe; till after Lady Betty--I don't
know what to say.

I implored the return of that value which she had so generously
acknowledged once to have had for me. I presumed, I said, to flatter
myself that Lady Betty, in her own person, and in the name of all my
family, would be able, on my promised reformation and contrition, to
prevail in my favour, especially as our prospects in other respects with
regard to the general reconciliation wished for were so happy. But let
me owe to your own generosity, my dearest creature, said I, rather than
to the mediation of any person on earth, the forgiveness I am an humble
suitor for. How much more agreeable to yourself, O best beloved of my
soul, must it be, as well as obliging to me, that your first personal
knowledge of my relations, and theirs of you, (for they will not be
denied attending you) should not be begun in recriminations, in appeals?
As Lady Betty will be here soon, it will not perhaps be possible for you
to receive her visit with a brow absolutely serene. But, dearest,
dearest creature, I beseech you, let the misunderstanding pass as a
slight one--as a misunderstanding cleared up. Appeals give pride and
superiority to the persons appealed to, and are apt to lessen the
ap