es to be mentioned in a woman's
favour, to men such as we are, who consider all those of the sex as
fair prize, over honour, in the general acceptation of the word, are two
things.

What then is my motive?--What, but the true friendship that I bear thee,
Lovelace; which makes me plead thy own sake, and thy family's sake, in
the justice thou owest to this incomparable creature; who, however,
so well deserves to have her sake to be mentioned as the principal
consideration.

Last time I was at M. Hall, thy noble uncle so earnestly pressed me to
use my interest to persuade thee to enter the pale, and gave me so many
family reasons for it, that I could not help engaging myself heartily
on his side of the question; and the rather, as I knew that thy own
intentions with regard to this fine woman were then worthy of her. And
of this I assured his Lordship; who was half afraid of thee, because of
the ill usage thou receivedst from her family. But now, that the case is
altered, let me press the matter home to thee from other considerations.

By what I have heard of this lady's perfections from every mouth, as
well as from thine, and from every letter thou hast written, where
wilt thou find such another woman? And why shouldst thou tempt her
virtue?--Why shouldst thou wish to try where there is no reason to
doubt?

Were I in thy case, and designed to marry, and if I preferred a woman
as I know thou dost this to all the women in the world, I should read
to make further trial, knowing what we know of the sex, for fear of
succeeding; and especially if I doubted not, that if there were a woman
in the world virtuous at heart, it is she.

And let me tell thee, Lovelace, that in this lady's situation, the
trial is not a fair trial. Considering the depth of thy plots and
contrivances: considering the opportunities which I see thou must have
with her, in spite of her own heart; all her relations' follies acting
in concert, though unknown to themselves, with thy wicked, scheming
head: considering how destitute of protection she is: considering the
house she is to be in, where she will be surrounded with thy implements;
specious, well-bred and genteel creatures, not easily to be detected
when they are disposed to preserve appearances, especially by the young
inexperienced lady wholly unacquainted with the town: considering all
these things, I say, what glory, what cause of triumph wilt thou have,
if she should be overcome?--Thou, too,