he
found I was fully determined at all events to see her, before I went
abroad, (which I shall do, said I, if I cannot prevail upon her,) she
sent me the letter I have already mentioned to you, desiring me to
suspend my purposed visit: and that for a reason which amazes and
confounds me; because I don't find there is any thing in it: and yet I
never knew her once dispense with her word; for she always made it a
maxim, that it was not lawful to do evil, that good might come of it: and
yet in this letter, for no reason in the world but to avoid seeing me (to
gratify an humour only) has she sent me out of town, depending upon the
assurance she had given me.'

Col. This is indeed surprising. But I cannot believe that my cousin,
for such an end only, or indeed for any end, according to the character I
hear of her, should stoop to make use of such an artifice.

Lovel. This, Colonel, is the thing that astonishes me; and yet, see
here!--This is the letter she wrote me--Nay, Sir, 'tis her own hand.

Col. I see it is; and a charming hand it is.

Lovel. You observe, Colonel, that all her hopes of reconciliation with
her parents are from you. You are her dear blessed friend! She always
talked of you with delight.

Col. Would to Heaven I had come to England before she left
Harlowe-place!--Nothing of this had then happened. Not a man of those
whom I have heard that her friends proposed for her should have had her.
Nor you, Mr. Lovelace, unless I had found you to be the man every one who
sees you must wish you to be: and if you had been that man, no one living
should I have preferred to you for such an excellence.

My Lord and I both joined in the wish: and 'faith I wished it most
cordially.

The Colonel read the letter twice over, and then returned it to me. 'Tis
all a mystery, said he. I can make nothing of it. For, alas! her
friends are as averse to a reconciliation as ever.

Lord M. I could not have thought it. But don't you think there is
something very favourable to my nephew in this letter--something that
looks as if the lady would comply at last?

Col. Let me die if I know what to make of it. This letter is very
different from her preceding one!--You returned an answer to it, Mr.
Lovelace?

Lovel. An answer, Colonel! No doubt of it. And an answer full of
transport. I told her, 'I would directly set out for Lord M.'s, in
obedience to her will. I told her that I would consent to any thing