ver so strong.

Mowbray, Belton, and Tourville, long to see my angel, and will be there.
She has refused me; but must be present notwithstanding. So generous a
spirit as mine is cannot enjoy its happiness without communication. If I
raise not your envy and admiration both at once, but half-joy will be the
joy of having such a charming fly entangled in my web. She therefore
must comply. And thou must come. And then will show thee the pride and
glory of the Harlowe family, my implacable enemies; and thou shalt join
with me in my triumph over them all.

I know not what may still be the perverse beauty's fate: I want thee,
therefore, to see and admire her, while she is serene and full of hope:
before her apprehensions are realized, if realized they are to be; and if
evil apprehensions of me she really has; before her beamy eyes have lost
their lustre; while yet her charming face is surrounded with all its
virgin glories; and before the plough of disappointment has thrown up
furrows of distress upon every lovely feature.

If I can procure you this honour you will be ready to laugh out, as I
have often much ado to forbear, at the puritanical behaviour of the
mother before this lady. Not an oath, not a curse, nor the least free
word, escapes her lips. She minces in her gait. She prims up her
horse-mouth. Her voice, which, when she pleases, is the voice of
thunder, is sunk into an humble whine. Her stiff hams, that have not
been bent to a civility for ten years past, are now limbered into
courtesies three deep at ever word. Her fat arms are crossed before
her; and she can hardly be prevailed upon to sit in the presence of my
goddess.

I am drawing up instructions for ye all to observe on Monday night.

SATURDAY NIGHT.

Most confoundedly alarmed!--Lord, Sir, what do you think? cried Dorcas
--My lady is resolved to go to church to-morrow! I was at quadrille with
the women below.--To church! said I, and down I laid my cards. To
church! repeated they, each looking upon the other. We had done playing
for that night.

Who could have dreamt of such a whim as this?--Without notice, without
questions! Her clothes not come! No leave asked!--Impossible she should
think of being my wife!--Besides, she don't consider, if she go to
church, I must go too!--Yet not to ask for my company! Her brother and
Singleton ready to snap her up, as far as she knows!--Known by her
clothes--her person, her features, so distinguis