keep her
husband's secrets, for the sake of his reputation; else she will be
guilty of a great failure in her duty. So now you have set your hand to
the plough, Joseph, there is no looking back.

And what is the consequence of all this: one labour more, and that will
be all that will fall to your lot; at least, of consequence.

My beloved is resolved not to think of marriage till she has tried
to move her friends to a reconciliation with her. You know they are
determined not to be reconciled. She has it in her head, I doubt not,
to make me submit to the people I hate; and if I did, they would rather
insult me, than receive my condescension as they ought. She even owns,
that she will renounce me, if they insist upon it, provided they will
give up Solmes: so, to all appearance, I am still as far as ever from
the happiness of calling her mine; Indeed I am more likely than ever to
lose her, (if I cannot contrive some way to avail myself of the present
critical situation;) and then, Joseph, all I have been studying, and all
you have been doing, will signify nothing.

At the place where we are, we cannot long be private. The lodgings
are inconvenient for us, while both together, and while she refuses
to marry. She wants to get me at a distance from her; there are
extraordinary convenient lodgings, in my eye, in London, where we
could be private, and all mischief avoided. When there, (if I get
her thither,) she will insist that I leave her. Miss Howe is for ever
putting her upon contrivances. That, you know, is the reason I have been
obliged, by your means, to play the family off at Harlowe-place upon
Mrs. Howe, and Mrs. Howe upon her daughter--Ah, Joseph! Little need for
your fears for my angel! I only am in danger: but were I the free-liver
I am reported to be, all this could I get over with a wet finger, as the
saying is.

But, by the help of one of your hints, I have thought of an expedient
which will do ever thing, and raise your reputation, though already
so high, higher still. This Singleton, I hear, is a fellow who loves
enterprising: the view he has to get James Harlowe to be his principal
owner in a large vessel which he wants to be put into the command of,
may be the subject of their present close conversation. But since he
is taught to have so good an opinion of you, Joseph, cannot you (still
pretending an abhorrence of me, and of my contrivances) propose to
Singleton to propose to James Harlowe (who so much t