Observe to keep at such a distance that she may not discover who you
are. Take long strides, to alter your gait; and hold up your head,
honest Joseph; and she'll not know it to be you. Men's airs and gaits
are as various and peculiar as their faces. Pluck a stake out of one of
the hedges: and tug at it, though it may come easy: this, if she turn
back, will look terrible, and account for your not following us faster.
Then, returning with it, shouldered, to brag to the family what you
would have done, could you have overtaken us, rather than your young
lady should be carried off by such a ------ And you may call me names,
and curse me. And these airs will make you look valiant, and in earnest.
You see, honest Joseph, I am always contriving to give you reputation.
No man suffers by serving me.

But, if our parley should last longer than I wish; and if any of her
friends miss her before I cry, Hem, hem, twice; then, in order to save
yourself, (which is a very great point with me, I assure you,) make the
same noise as above: but as I directed before, open not the door with
your key. On the contrary, wish for a key with all your heart; but
for fear any of them should by accident have a key about them, keep in
readiness half a dozen little gravel-stones, no bigger than peas, and
thrust two or three slily into the key-hole; which will hinder their
key from turning round. It is good, you know, Joseph, to provide against
every accident in such an important case, as this. And let this be your
cry, instead of the other, if any of my enemies come in your sight, as
you seem to be trying to burst the door open, Sir! Sir! or Madam! Madam!
O Lord, hasten! O Lord, hasten! Mr. Lovelace! Mr. Lovelace!--And very
loud--and that shall quicken me more than it shall those you call
to.--If it be Betty, and only Betty, I shall think worse of your art
of making love* than of your fidelity, if you can't find a way to amuse
her, and put her upon a false scent.

* See Vol.II. Letter XXIX.

You must tell them that your young lady seemed to run as fast off with
me as I with her. This will also confirm to them that all pursuit is
in vain. An end will hereby be put to Solmes's hopes: and her friends,
after a while, will be more studious to be reconciled to her than to get
her back. So you will be a happy instrument of great good to all round.
And this will one day be acknowledged by both families. You will then be
every one's favourite; an