Captain, we
may, we must be happy.

But, dearest, dearest creature, let me on my knees [and down I dropt, her
face all the time turned half from me, as she stood at the window, her
handkerchief often at her eyes] on my knees let me plead your promised
forgiveness; and let us not appear to them, on their visit, thus unhappy
with each other. Lady Betty, the next hour that she sees you, will write
her opinion of you, and of the likelihood of our future happiness, to
Lady Sarah her sister, a weak-spirited woman, who now hopes to supply to
herself, in my bride, the lost daughter she still mourns for!

The Captain then joined in, and re-urged her uncle's hopes and
expectations, and his resolution effectually to set about the general
reconciliation; the mischief that might be prevented; and the certainty
that there was that her uncle might be prevailed on to give her to me
with his own hand, if she made it her choice to wait for his coming up.
but, for his own part, he humbly advised, and fervently pressed her, to
make the very next day, or Monday at farthest, my happy day.

Permit me, dearest lady, said he, and I could kneel to you myself,
[bending his knee,] though I have no interest in my earnestness, but the
pleasure I should have to be able to serve you all, to beseech you to
give me an opportunity to assure your uncle that I myself saw with my own
eyes the happy knot tied!--All misunderstandings, all doubts, all
diffidences, will then be at an end.

And what, Madam, rejoined I, still kneeling, can there be in your new
measures, be they what they will, that can so happily, so reputably, I
will presume to say, for all around, obviate the present difficulties?

Miss Howe herself, if she love you, and if she love your fame, Madam,
urged the Captain, his knee still bent, must congratulate you on such
happy conclusion.

Then turning her face, she saw the Captain half-kneeling--O Sir! O Capt.
Tomlinson!--Why this undue condescension? extending her hand to his
elbow, to raise him. I cannot bear this!--Then casting her eye on me,
Rise, Mr. Lovelace--kneel not to the poor creature whom you have
insulted!--How cruel the occasion for it!--And how mean the submission!

Not mean to such an angel!--Nor can I rise but to be forgiven!

The Captain then re-urged once more the day--he was amazed, he said, if
she ever valued me--

O Captain Tomlinson, interrupted she, how much are you the friend of this
man!--If I had never va