ur hurt; to have given you one word, one line
(in confidence) of their pretended change of measures!

But do not mind their after-pretences, my dear--all of them serve but
for tacit confessions of their vile usage of you. I will keep your
aunt's secret, never fear. I would not, on any consideration, that my
mother should see her letter.

You will now see that you have nothing left but to overcome all
scrupulousness, and marry as son as you have an opportunity. Determine
to do so, my dear.

I will give you a motive for it, regarding myself. For this I have
resolved, and this I have vowed, [O friend, the best beloved of my
heart, be not angry with me for it!] 'That so long as your happiness is
in suspence, I will never think of marrying.' In justice to the man I
shall have, I have vowed this: for, my dear, must I not be miserable,
if you are so? And what an unworthy wife must I be to any man who cannot
have interest enough in my heart to make his obligingness a balance for
an affliction he has not caused!

I would show Lovelace your sister's abominable letter, were it to me. I
enclose it. It shall not have a place in this house. This will enter him
of course into the subject which you now ought to have most in view.
Let him see what you suffer for him. He cannot prove base to such an
excellence. I should never enjoy my head or my senses should this
man prove a villain to you!--With a merit so exalted, you may have
punishment more than enough for your involuntary fault in that husband.

I would not have you be too sure that their project to seize you is
over. The words intimating that it is over, in the letter of that
abominable Arabella, seem calculated to give you security.--She only
says she believes that design is over.--And I do not yet find from Miss
Lloyd that it is disavowed. So it will be best, when you are in London,
to be private, and, for fear of the worst, to let every direction to be
a third place; for I would not, for the world, have you fall into the
hands of such flaming and malevolent spirits by surprize.

I will myself be content to direct you at some third place; and I shall
then be able to aver to my mother, or to any other, if occasion be, that
I know not where you are.

Besides, this measure will make you less apprehensive of the
consequences of their violence, should they resolve to attempt to carry
you of in spite of Lovelace.

I would have you direct to Mr. Hickman, even your answer to th