suffer!--Heaven relieve him!--I have a too compassionate heart. And so
would the dear creature have found, could I have thought that the worst
of her sufferings is equal to the lightest of his. I mean as to fact;
for as to that part of her's, which arises from extreme sensibility, I
know nothing of that; and cannot therefore be answerable for it.

LETTER XXXV

MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.

Just come from my charmer. She will not suffer me to say half the
obliging, the tender things, which my honest heart is ready to overflow
with. A confounded situation that, when a man finds himself in humour
to be eloquent, and pathetic at the same time, yet cannot engage the
mistress of his fate to lend an ear to his fine speeches.

I can account now how it comes about that lovers, when their mistresses
are cruel, run into solitude, and disburthen their minds to stocks and
stones: For am I not forced to make my complaints to thee?

She claimed the performance of my promise, the moment she saw me, of
permitting her [haughtily she spoke the word] to go to Hampstead as soon
as I was gone to Berks.

Most cheerfully I renewed it.

She desired me to give orders in her hearing.

I sent for Dorcas and Will. They came.--Do you both take notice, (but,
perhaps, Sir, I may take you with me,) that your lady is to be obeyed in
all her commands. She purposes to return to Hampstead as soon as I am
gone--My dear, will you not have a servant to attend you?

I shall want no servant there.

Will you take Dorcas?

If I should want Dorcas, I can send for her.

Dorcas could not but say, She should be very proud--

Well, well, that may be at my return, if your lady permit.--Shall I, my
dear, call up Mrs. Sinclair, and give her orders, to the same effect, in
your hearing?

I desire not to see Mrs. Sinclair; nor any that belong to her.

As you please, Madam.

And then (the servants being withdrawn) I urged her again for the
assurance, that she would meet me at the altar on Thursday next. But to
no purpose.--May she not thank herself for all that may follow?

One favour, however, I would not be denied, to be admitted to pass the
evening with her.

All sweetness and obsequiousness will I be on this occasion. My whole
soul shall be poured out to move her to forgive me. If she will not, and
if the promissory note should fall in my way, my revenge will doubtless
take total possession of me.

All the house in my intere