r parents in
the great article of marriage; and that she governed herself accordingly
in marrying my father; who at first was more the choice of her parents
than her own.

This is what she argues in behalf of her favourite Hickman, as well as
for Solmes in your case.

I must not doubt, but my mother always governed herself by this
principle--because she says she did. I have likewise another reason to
believe it; which you shall have, though it may not become me to give
it--that they did not live so happily together, as one would hope people
might do who married preferring each other at the time to the rest of
the world.

Somebody shall fare never the better for this double-meant policy of my
mother, I do assure you. Such a retrospection in her arguments to
him, and to his address, it is but fit that he should suffer for my
mortification in failing to carry a point upon which I had set my whole
heart.

Think, my dear, if in any way I can serve you. If you allow of it,
I protest I will go off privately with you, and we will live and die
together. Think of it. Improve upon my hint, and command me.

A little interruption.--What is breakfast to the subject I am upon?

*****

London, I am told, is the best hiding-place in the world. I have written
nothing but what I will stand in to at the word of command. Women love
to engage in knight-errantry, now-and-then, as well as to encourage
it in the men. But in your case, what I propose will not seem to have
anything of that nature in it. It will enable me to perform what is no
more than a duty in serving and comforting a dear and worthy friend, who
labours under undeserved oppression: and you will ennoble, as I may say,
your Anna Howe, if you allow her to be your companion in affliction.

I will engage, my dear, we shall not be in town together one month,
before we surmount all difficulties; and this without being beholden to
any men-fellows for their protection.

I must repeat what I have often said, that the authors of your
persecutions would not have presumed to set on foot their selfish
schemes against you, had they not depended upon the gentleness of your
spirit; though now, having gone so far, and having engaged Old AUTHORITY
in it, [chide me if you will!] neither he nor they know how to recede.

When they find you out of their reach, and know that I am with you,
you'll see how they'll pull in their odious horns.

I think, however, that you should have writ