know not how to bear that.

While I was considering, he came up, and, tapping at my door, told me, in
a very angry tone, he must see me this night. He could not rest, till he
had been told what he had done to deserve the treatment I gave him.

Treatment I gave him! a wretch! Yet perhaps he has nothing new to say to
me. I shall be very angry with him.

***

[As the Lady could not know what Mr. Lovelace's designs were, nor the
cause of his ill humour, it will not be improper to pursue the subject
from his lette.

Having described his angry manner of demanding, in person, her company at
supper, he proceeds as follows:]

''Tis hard, answered the fair perverse, that I am to be so little my own
mistress. I will meet you in the dining-room half an hour hence.

'I went down to wait the half hour. All the women set me hard to give
her cause for this tyranny. They demonstrated, as well from the nature
of the sex, as of the case, that I had nothing to hope for from my
tameness, and could meet with no worse treatment, were I to be guilty of
the last offence. They urge me vehemently to try at least what effect
some greater familiarities than I had ever taken with her would have: and
their arguments being strengthened by my just resentments on the
discoveries I had made, I was resolved to take some liberties, as they
were received, to take still greater, and lay all the fault upon her
tyranny. In this humour I went up, and never had paralytic so little
command of his joints, as I had, while I walked about the dining-room,
attending her motions.

'With an erect mien she entered, her face averted, her lovely bosom
swelling, and the more charmingly protuberant for the erectness of her
mien. O Jack! that sullenness and reserve should add to the charms of
this haughty maid! but in every attitude, in every humour, in every
gesture, is beauty beautiful. By her averted face, and indignant aspect,
I saw the dear insolent was disposed to be angry--but by the fierceness
of mine, as my trembling hand seized hers, I soon made fear her
predominant passion. And yet the moment I beheld her, my heart was
dastardized; and my reverence for the virgin purity, so visible in her
whole deportment, again took place. Surely, Belford, this is an angel.
And yet, had she not been known to be a female, they would not from
babyhood have dressed her as such, nor would she, but upon that
conviction, have continued the dress.

'Le