I want not you to see me fixed. I will promise nothing.
Take care, Madam, that you don’t let me see that I can have no reliance upon your future favour.
I have been used to be threatened by you, Sir—but I will accept of your company to Hampstead—I will be ready to go in a quarter of an hour—my clothes may be sent after me.
You know the condition, Madam—Next Thursday.
You dare not trust——
My infinite demerits tell me, that I ought not—nevertheless I will confide in your generosity.—To-morrow morning (no new cause arising to give reason to the contrary) as early as you please you may go to Hampstead.
This seemed to oblige her. But yet she looked with a face of doubt.
I will go down to the women, Belford. And having no better judges at hand, will hear what they say upon my critical situation with this proud beauty, who has so insolently rejected a Lovelace kneeling at her feet, though making an earnest tender of himself for a husband, in spite of all his prejudices to the state of shackles.
LETTER XXXIV
MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.