e brother's part on Monday night before the landlady at St.
Alban's; asking my sister's pardon for carrying her off so unprepared
for a journey; prated of the joy my father and mother, and all
our friends, would have in receiving her; and this with so many
circumstances, that I perceived, by a look she gave me, that went
through my very reins, that I had gone too far. I apologized for it
indeed when alone; but could not penetrate for the soul of me, whether I
made the matter better or worse by it.

But I am of too frank a nature: my success, and the joy I have because
of the jewel I am half in possession of, has not only unlocked my bosom,
but left the door quite open.

This is a confounded sly sex. Would she but speak out, as I do--but I
must learn reserves of her.

She must needs be unprovided of money: but has too much pride to accept
of any from me. I would have had her go to town [to town, if possible,
must I get her to consent to go] in order to provide herself with
the richest of silks which that can afford. But neither is this to be
assented to. And yet, as my intelligencer acquaints me, her implacable
relations are resolved to distress her all they can.

These wretches have been most gloriously raving, ever since her flight;
and still, thank Heaven, continue to rave; and will, I hope, for a
twelvemonth to come. Now, at last, it is my day!

Bitterly do they regret, that they permitted her poultry-visits, and
garden-walks, which gave her the opportunity to effect an escape which
they suppose preconcerted. For, as to her dining in the ivy-bower, they
had a cunning design to answer upon her in that permission, as Betty
told Joseph her lover.*

* Vol. II. Letter XLVII. paragr. 37, 38.

They lost, they say, and excellent pretence for confining her more
closely on my threatening to rescue her, if they offered to carry her
against her will to old Antony's moated house.* For this, as I told thee
at the Hart, and as I once hinted to the dear creature herself,** they
had it in deliberation to do; apprehending, that I might attempt to
carry her off, either with or without her consent, on some one of those
connived-at excursions.

* Ibid. Let. XXXVI. and Let. XXXIX. par. I.
** Ibid. Let. XXXVI. par. 4. See also Let. XV. par. 3.

But here my honest Joseph, who gave me the information, was of admirable
service to me. I had taught him to make the Harlowes believe, that I was
as communicative to