rder to own candidly,
that I cannot help opposing your success with that young lady; though,
at the same time I promise to regulate my opposition by the dictates of
justice and honour. This, however, I think proper to advertise you of,
that she has no independent fortune; and, if you should even succeed in
your addresses, you will have the mortification to see her reduced to
indigence, unless you have wherewithal to support her--and I am credibly
informed of your incapacity that way--nay, I will confess, that, urged
by this consideration, I have actually sent notice to her brother of the
progress I suspect you have made in her affection, and desired him
to take his precautions accordingly." Alarmed and provoked at this
information, I told his lordship, that I did not see how he could
reconcile that piece of conduct with his profession of open dealing, and
flung away from him in a passion.

As I walked homeward, in hope of hearing from my mistress as usual
by means of Miss Williams, I was surprised with the waving of a
handkerchief from the window of a coach-and-six that passed by me at
full speed: and upon further observation, I saw a servant on horseback
riding after it, who, I knew by his livery, belonged to the squire.
Thunderstruck with this discovery, the knowledge of my misfortune rushed
all at once upon my reflection! I guessed immediately that the signal
was made by the dear hand of Narcissa, who, being hurried away in
consequence of Lord Quiverwit's message to her brother, had no other
method of relating her distress, and imploring my assistance. Frantic
with this conjecture, I ran to my lodgings, snatched my pistols, and
ordered Strap to get post-horses, with such incoherence of speech and
disorder, that the poor valet, terrified with the suspicion of another
duel, instead of providing what I desired, went forthwith to Freeman,
who, being informed of my behaviour, came straight to my apartment, and
conjured me so pathetically to make him acquainted with the cause of my
uneasiness, that I could not refuse telling him my happiness was fled
with Narcissa, and that I must retrieve her or perish. He represented
the madness of such an undertaking, and endeavoured to divert me from
it with great strength of friendship and reason. But all his arguments
would have been ineffectual, had he not put me in mind of the dependence
I ought to have on the love of Narcissa, and the attachment of her maid,
who could not fail of