you fixed there, if you'll promise me your hand
on Thursday, in presence of your uncle.

I want not you to see me fixed. I will promise nothing.

Take care, Madam, that you don't let me see that I can have no reliance
upon your future favour.

I have been used to be threatened by you, Sir--but I will accept of your
company to Hampstead--I will be ready to go in a quarter of an hour--my
clothes may be sent after me.

You know the condition, Madam--Next Thursday.

You dare not trust----

My infinite demerits tell me, that I ought not--nevertheless I will
confide in your generosity.--To-morrow morning (no new cause arising to
give reason to the contrary) as early as you please you may go to
Hampstead.

This seemed to oblige her. But yet she looked with a face of doubt.

I will go down to the women, Belford. And having no better judges at
hand, will hear what they say upon my critical situation with this
proud beauty, who has so insolently rejected a Lovelace kneeling at her
feet, though making an earnest tender of himself for a husband, in spite
of all his prejudices to the state of shackles.

LETTER XXXIV

MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.

Just come from the women.

'Have I gone so far, and am I afraid to go farther?--Have I not already,
as it is evident by her behaviour, sinned beyond forgiveness?--A woman's
tears used to be to me but as water sprinkled on a glowing fire, which
gives it a fiercer and brighter blaze: What defence has this lady but her
tears and her eloquence? She was before taken at no weak advantage. She
was insensible in her moments of trial. Had she been sensible, she must
have been sensible. So they say. The methods taken with her have
augmented her glory and her pride. She has now a tale to tell, that she
may tell with honour to herself. No accomplice-inclination. She can
look me into confusion, without being conscious of so much as a thought
which she need to be ashamed of.'

This, Jack, is the substance of the women's reasonings with me.

To which let me add, that the dear creature now sees the necessity I am
in to leave her. Detecting me is in her head. My contrivances are of
such a nature, that I must appear to be the most odious of men if I am
detected on this side matrimony. And yet I have promised, as thou seest,
that she shall set out to Hampstead as soon as she pleases in the
morning, and that without condition on her side.

Dost thou ask, What I me