differences rather than to widen them.

Lovel. Well then, Colonel Morden, let us enter upon the subject in your
own way. I don't know the man I should sooner choose to be upon terms
with than one whom Miss Clarissa Harlowe so much respects. But I cannot
bear to be treated, either in word or accent, in a menacing way.

Lord M. Well, well, well, well, gentlemen, this is somewhat like.
Angry men make to themselves beds of nettles, and, when they lie down in
them, are uneasy with every body. But I hope you are friends. Let me
hear you say you are. I am persuaded, Colonel, that you don't know all
this unhappy story. You don't know how desirous my kinsman is, as well
as all of us, to have this matter end happily. You don't know, do you,
Colonel, that Mr. Lovelace, at all our requests, is disposed to marry the
lady?

Col. At all your requests, my Lord?--I should have hoped that Mr.
Lovelace was disposed to do justice for the sake of justice; and when at
the same time the doing of justice was doing himself the highest honour.

Mowbray lifted up his before half-closed eyes to the Colonel, and glanced
them upon me.

Lovel. This is in very high language, Colonel.

Mowbr. By my soul, I thought so.

Col. High language, Mr. Lovelace? Is it not just language?

Lovel. It is, Colonel. And I think, the man that does honour to Miss
Clarissa Harlowe, does me honour. But, nevertheless, there is a manner
in speaking, that may be liable to exception, where the words, without
that manner, can bear none.

Col. Your observation in the general is undoubtedly just: but, if you
have the value for my cousin that you say you have, you must needs think
--

Lovel. You must allow me, Sir, to interrupt you--IF I have the value I
say I have--I hope, Sir, when I say I have that value, there is no room
for that if, pronounced as you pronounced it with an emphasis.

Col. You have broken in upon me twice, Mr. Lovelace. I am as little
accustomed to be broken in upon, as you are to be repeated upon.

Lord M. Two barrels of gunpowder, by my conscience! What a devil will
it signify talking, if thus you are to blow one another up at every word?

Lovel. No man of honour, my Lord, will be easy to have his veracity
called into question, though but by implication.

Col. Had you heard me out, Mr. Lovelace, you would have found, that my
if was rather an if of inference, than of doubt. But 'tis, really a
strange libe