en, from a letter just before received from one in her father's
family, warned them of a person who had undertaken to find us out, and
whom I thus in writing [having called for pen and ink] described, that
they might arm all the family against him--"A sun-burnt, pock-fretten
sailor, ill-looking, big-boned; his stature about six foot; an heavy eye,
an overhanging brow, a deck-treading stride in his walk; a couteau
generally by his side; lips parched from his gums, as if by staring at
the sun in hot climates; a brown coat; a coloured handkerchief about his
neck; an oaken plant in his hand near as long as himself, and
proportionately thick."

'No questions asked by this fellow must be answered. They should call me
to him. But not let my beloved know a tittle of this, so long as it
could be helped. And I added, that if her brother or Singleton came, and
if they behaved civilly, I would, for her sake, be civil to them: and in
this case, she had nothing to do but to own her marriage, and there could
be no pretence for violence on either side. But most fervently I swore,
that if she was conveyed away, either by persuasion or force, I would
directly, on missing her but one day, go to demand her at Harlowe-place,
whether she were there or not; and if I recovered not a sister, I would
have a brother; and should find out a captain of a ship as well as he.'

And now, Jack, dost thou think she'll attempt to get from me, do what I
will?

'Mrs. Sinclair began to be afraid of mischief in her house--I was
apprehensive that she would over-do the matter, and be out of character.
I therefore winked at her. She primed; nodded, to show she took me;
twanged out a high-ho through her nose, lapped one horse-lip over the
other, and was silent.'

Here's preparation, Belford!--Dost think I will throw it all away for any
thing thou canst say, or Lord M. write?--No, indeed--as my charmer says,
when she bridles.

***

And what must necessarily be the consequence of all this with regard to
my beloved's behaviour to me? Canst thou doubt, that it was all
complaisance next time she admitted me into her presence?

Thursday we were very happy. All the morning extremely happy. I kissed
her charming hand.--I need not describe to thee her hand and arm. When
thou sawest her, I took notice that thy eyes dwelt upon them whenever
thou couldst spare them from that beauty spot of wonders, her face--fifty
times kissed her hand, I believe--once h