with his conclusion,
I desired to be excused seeing him till morning; and the rather, as there
is hardly any getting from him in tolerable time overnight.

Accordingly, about seven o'clock we met in the dining-room.

I find he was full of expectation that I should meet him with a very
favourable, who knows but with a thankful, aspect? and I immediately
found by his sullen countenance, that he was under no small
disappointment that I did not.

My dearest love, are you well? Why look you so solemn upon me? Will
your indifference never be over? If I have proposed terms in any respect
short of your expectation--

I told him, that he had very considerately mentioned my shewing his
proposals to Miss Howe; and as I should have a speedy opportunity to send
them to her by Collins, I desired to suspend any talk upon that subject
till I had her opinion upon them.

Good God!--If there was but the least loop-hole! the least room for
delay!--But he was writing a letter to Lord M. to give him an account of
his situation with me, and could not finish it so satisfactorily, either
to my Lord or to himself, as if I would condescend to say, whether the
terms he had proposed were acceptable, or not.

Thus far, I told him, I could say, that my principal point was peace and
reconciliation with my relations. As to other matters, the gentleness of
his own spirit would put him upon doing more for me than I should ask, or
expect. Wherefore, if all he had to write about was to know what Lord M.
would do on my account, he might spare himself the trouble, for that my
utmost wishes, as to myself, were much more easily gratified than he
perhaps imagined.

He asked me then, if I would so far permit him to touch upon the happy
day, as to request the presence of Lord M. on the occasion, and to be my
father?

Father had a sweet and venerable sound with it, I said. I should be glad
to have a father who would own me!

Was not this plain speaking, think you, my dear? Yet it rather, I must
own, appears so to me on reflection, than was designed freely at the
time. For I then, with a sigh from the bottom of my heart, thought of my
own father; bitterly regretting, that I am an outcast from him and from
my mother.

Mr. Lovelace I thought seemed a little affected at the manner of my
speaking, and perhaps at the sad reflection.

I am but a very young creature, Mr. Lovelace, said I, [and wiped my eyes
as I turned away my face,] although you ha