as
so vexed with him on the other, that it was impossible for me to comply
with that grace which a concession should be made with, or not made at
all.

This was what I said--What you will do, you must do, I think. You are
very ready to promise; very ready to depart from your promise. You say,
however, that you will set out to-morrow for the country. You know how
ill I have been. I am not well enough now to debate with you upon your
encroaching ways. I am utterly dissatisfied with the tale you have told
below. Nor will I promise to appear to the people of the house to-morrow
what I am not.

He withdrew in the most respectful manner, beseeching me only to favour
him with such a meeting in the morning as might not make the widow and
her nieces think he had given me reason to be offended with him.

I retired to my own apartment, and Dorcas came to me soon after to take
my commands. I told her, that I required very little attendance, and
always dressed and undressed myself.

She seemed concerned, as if she thought I had repulsed her; and said, it
should be her whole study to oblige me.

I told her, that I was not difficult to be pleased: and should let her
know from time to time what assistance I should expect from her. But for
that night I had no occasion for her further attendance.

She is not only genteel, but is well bred, and well spoken--she must have
had what is generally thought to be the polite part of education: but it
is strange, that fathers and mothers should make so light, as they
generally do, of that preferable part, in girls, which would improve
their minds, and give a grace to all the rest.

As soon as she was gone, I inspected the doors, the windows, the
wainscot, the dark closet as well as the light one; and finding very good
fastenings to the door, and to all the windows, I again had recourse to
my pen.

***

Mrs. Sinclair is just now gone from me. Dorcas, she told me, had
acquainted her, that I had dismissed her for the night. She came to ask
me how I liked my apartment, and to wish me good rest. She expressed her
concern, that they could not have my company at supper. Mr. Lovelace,
she said, had informed them of my love of retirement. She assured me,
that I should not be broken in upon. She highly extolled him, and gave
me a share in the praise as to person. But was sorry, she said, that she
was likely to lose us so soon as Mr. Lovelace talked of.

I answered her with su