r silence to the modesty of her sex. The dear
creature, (thought I,) solemnly as she began with me, is ruminating, in
a sweet suspence, how to put into fit words the gentle purposes of her
condescending heart. But, looking in her averted face with a soothing
gentleness, I plainly perceived, that it was resentment, and not
bashfulness, that was struggling in her bosom.*

* The Lady, in her minutes, owns the difficulty she lay under to keep
her temper in this conference. 'But when I found,' says she, 'that all
my entreaties were ineffectual, and that he was resolved to detain me,
I could no longer withhold my impatience.'

At last she broke silence--I have no patience, said she, to find myself
a slave, a prisoner, in a vile house--Tell me, Sir, in so many words
tell me, whether it be, or be not, your intention to permit me to quit
it?--To permit me the freedom which is my birthright as an English
subject?

Will not the consequence of your departure hence be that I shall lose
you for ever, Madam?--And can I bear the thoughts of that?

She flung from me--My soul disdains to hold parley with thee! were her
violent words.--But I threw myself at her feet, and took hold of her
reluctant hand, and began to imprecate, avow, to promise--But thus the
passionate beauty, interrupting me, went on:

I am sick of thee, MAN!--One continued string of vows, oaths, and
protestations, varied only by time and place, fills thy mouth!--Why
detainest thou me? My heart rises against thee, O thou cruel implement
of my brother's causeless vengeance.--All I beg of thee is, that thou
wilt remit me the future part of my father's dreadful curse! the
temporary part, base and ungrateful as thou art! thou hast completed!

I was speechless!--Well I might!--Her brother's implement!--James
Harlowe's implement!--Zounds, Jack! what words were these!

I let go her struggling hand. She took two or three turns cross the
room, her whole haughty soul in her air. Then approaching me, but in
silence, turning from me, and again to me, in a milder voice--I see thy
confusion, Lovelace. Or is it thy remorse?--I have but one request to
make thee--the request so often repeated--That thou wilt this moment
permit me to quit this house. Adieu, then, let me say, for ever adieu!
And mayest thou enjoy that happiness in this world, which thou hast
robbed me of; as thou hast of every friend I have in it!

And saying this, away she flung, leaving me in a confusi