LETTER XVII
MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.SUNDAY AFTERNOON, SIX O'CLOCK, (JUNE 18.)
I went out early this morning, and returned not till just now; when I wasinformed that my beloved, in my absence, had taken it into her head toattempt to get away.
She tripped down, with a parcel tied up in a handkerchief, her hood on;and was actually in the entry, when Mrs. Sinclair saw her.
Pray, Madam, whipping between her and the street-door, be pleased to letme know where you are going?
Who has a right to controul me? was the word.
I have, Madam, by order of your spouse: and, kemboing her arms, as sheowned, I desire you will be pleased to walk up again.
She would have spoken; but could not: and, bursting into tears, turnedback, and went up to her chamber: and Dorcas was taken to task forsuffering her to be in the passage before she was seen.
This shows, as we hoped last night, that she is recovering her charmingintellects.
Dorcas says, she was visible to her but once before the whole day; andthen she seemed very solemn and sedate.
I will endeavour to see her. It must be in her own chamber, I suppose;for she will hardly meet me in the dining-room. What advantage will theconfidence of our sex give me over the modesty of her's, if she berecovered!--I, the most confident of men: she, the most delicate ofwomen. Sweet soul! methinks I have her before me: her face averted:speech lost in sighs--abashed--conscious--what a triumphant aspect willthis give me, when I gaze on her downcast countenance!
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This moment Dorcas tells me she believes she is coming to find me out.She asked her after me: and Dorcas left her, drying her red-swoln eyes ather glass; [no design of moving me by tears!] sighing too sensibly for mycourage. But to what purpose have I gone thus far, if I pursue not myprincipal end? Niceness must be a little abated. She knows the worst.That she cannot fly me; that she must see me; and that I can look herinto a sweet confusion; are circumstances greatly in my favour. What canshe do but rave and exclaim? I am used to raving and exclaiming--but, ifrecovered, I shall see how she behaves upon this our first sensibleinterview after what she has suffered.
Here she comes.