our virtue, if you were to be encountered by a temptation
properly adapted.

By some such charitable logic, said Mr. Morden, as this, is my cousin
Arabella captivated, I doubt not. If virtue, you, Mr. James Harlowe,
are the most virtuous young man in the world.

I knew how it would be, replied your brother, in a passion, if I met Mr.
Morden upon this business. I would have declined it; but you, Sir, to
his father, would not permit me to do so.

But, Sir, turning to the Colonel, in no other presence----

Then, Cousin James, interrupted the other gentleman, that which is your
protection, it seems, is mine. I am not used to bear defiances thus--
you are my Cousin, Sir, and the son and nephew of persons as dear as near
to me--There he paused--

Are we, said your father, to be made still more unhappy among ourselves,
when the villain lives that ought to be the object of every one's
resentment who has either a value for the family, or for this ungrateful
girl?

That's the man, said your cousin, whom last Monday, as you know, I went
purposely to make the object of mine. But what could I say, when I found
him so willing to repair his crime?--And I give it as my opinion, and
have written accordingly to my poor cousin, that it is best for all round
that his offer should be accepted; and let me tell you--

Tell me nothing, said your father, quite enraged, or that very vile
fellow! I have a rivetted hatred to him. I would rather see the rebel
die an hundred deaths, were it possible, than that she should give such a
villain as him a relation to my family.

Well, but there is no room to think, said you mother, that she will give
us such a relation, my dear. The poor girl will lessen, I fear, the
number of our relations not increase it. If she be so ill as we are told
she is, let us send Mrs. Norton up to her.--That's the least we can do--
let us take her, however, out of the hands of that Belford.

Both your uncles supported this motion; the latter part of it especially.

Your brother observed, in his ill-natured way, what a fine piece of
consistency it was in you to refuse the vile injurer, and the amends he
offered; yet to throw yourself upon the protection of his fast friend.

Miss Harlowe was apprehensive, she said, that you would leave all you
could leave to that pert creature, Miss Howe, [so she called her,] if you
should die.

O do not, do not suppose that, my Bella, said your poor mother. I cannot
think