fore, I think, to be deeply concerned about,
but his future good, and the bad example he may hereafter set to his own
family. These indeed are very just concerns: but were you to leave him
now, either with or without his consent, his fortunes and alliances so
considerable, his person and address so engaging, (every one excusing you
now on those accounts, and because of your relations' follies,) it would
have a very ill appearance for your reputation. I cannot, therefore, on
the most deliberate consideration, advise you to think of that, while you
have no reason to doubt his honour. May eternal vengeance pursue the
villain, if he give room for an apprehension of this nature!

Yet his teasing ways are intolerable; his acquiescence with your slight
delays, and his resignedness to the distance you now keep him at, (for a
fault so much slighter, as he must think, than the punishment,) are
unaccountable: He doubts your love of him, that is very probable; but you
have reason to be surprised at his want of ardour; a blessing so great
within his reach, as I may say.

By the time you have read to this place, you will have no doubt of what
has been the issue of the conference between the two gentlemen. I am
equally shocked, and enraged against them all. Against them all, I say;
for I have tried your good Norton's weight with your mother, (though at
first I did not intend to tell you so,) to the same purpose as the
gentleman sounded your uncle. Never were there such determined brutes in
the world! Why should I mince the matter? Yet would I fain, methinks,
make an exception for your mother.

Your uncle will have it that you are ruined. 'He can believe every thing
bad of a creature, he says, who could run away with a man; with such a
one especially as Lovelace. They expected applications from you, when
some heavy distress had fallen upon you. But they are all resolved not
to stir an inch in your favour; no, not to save your life!'

My dearest soul, resolve to assert your right. Claim your own, and go
and live upon it, as you ought. Then, if you marry not, how will the
wretches creep to you for your reversionary dispositions!

You were accused (as in your aunt's letter) 'of premeditation and
contrivance in your escape.' Instead of pitying you, the mediating
person was called upon 'to pity them; who once, your uncle said, doated
upon you: who took no joy but in your presence: who devoured your words
as you spoke them: