LETTER XII
MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ. [IN CONTINUATION.]
I obliged the dear creature highly, I could perceive, by bringing Mrs.Greme to attend her, and to suffer that good woman's recommendation oflodgings to take place, on her refusal to go to The Lawn.
She must believe all my views to be honourable, when I had provided forher no particular lodgings, leaving it to her choice, whether she wouldgo to M. Hall, to The Lawn, to London, or to either of the dowagers ofmy family.
She was visibly pleased with my motion of putting Mrs. Greme into thechaise with her, and riding on horseback myself.
Some people would have been apprehensive of what might pass betweenher and Mrs. Greme. But as all my relations either know or believe thejustice of my intentions by her, I was in no pain on that account;and the less, as I have always been above hypocrisy, or wishing to bethought better than I am. And indeed, what occasion has a man to be anhypocrite, who has hitherto found his views upon the sex better answeredfor his being known to be a rake? Why, even my beloved here denied notto correspond with me, though her friends had taught her to think me alibertine--Who then would be trying a new and worse character?
And then Mrs. Greme is a pious matron, and would not have been biasedagainst truth on any consideration. She used formerly, while there wereany hopes of my reformation, to pray for me. She hardly continues thegood custom, I doubt; for her worthy lord makes no scruple occasionallyto rave against me to man, woman, and child, as they come in his way.He is very undutiful, as thou knowest. Surely, I may say so; since allduties are reciprocal. But for Mrs. Greme, poor woman! when my lordhas the gout, and is at The Lawn, and the chaplain not to be found, sheprays by him, or reads a chapter to him in the Bible, or some other goodbook.
Was it not therefore right to introduce such a good sort of woman tothe dear creature; and to leave them, without reserve, to their owntalk!--And very busy in talk I saw they were, as they rode; and felt ittoo; for most charmingly glowed my cheeks.
I hope I shall be honest, I once more say: but as we frail mortals arenot our own masters at all times, I must endeavour to keep the dearcreature unapprehensive, until I can get her to our acquaintance's inLondon, or to some other safe place there. Should I, in the interim,give her the least room for suspicion; or offer to restrain her; shecan make her appeals to strangers, and call the country in upon me; and,perhaps, throw herself upon her relations on their own terms. And were Inow to lose her, how unworthy should I be to be the prince and leaderof such a confraternity as ours!--How unable to look up among men! or toshew my face among women!
As things at present stand, she dare not own that she went off againsther own consent; and I have taken care to make all the implacablesbelieve, that she escaped with it.
She has received an answer from Miss Howe, to the letter written to herfrom St. Alban's.*
* See Vol. II. Letter XLVIII.
Whatever are the contents, I know not; but she was drowned in tears onthe perusal of it. And I am the sufferer.
Miss Howe is a charming creature too; but confoundedly smart andspiritful. I am a good deal afraid of her. Her mother can hardly keepher in. I must continue to play off old Antony, by my honest Joseph,upon that mother, in order to manage that daughter, and oblige mybeloved to an absolute dependence upon myself.*
* See Vol. I. Letter XXXI.
Mrs. Howe is impatient of contradiction. So is Miss. A young lady who issensible that she has all the materials requisites herself, to be undermaternal controul;--fine ground for a man of intrigue to build upon!--Amother over-notable; a daughter over-sensible; and their Hickman, whois--over-neither: but merely a passive--
Only that I have an object still more desirable--!
Yet how unhappy, that these two young ladies lived so near each other,and are so well acquainted! Else how charmingly might I have managedthem both!
But one man cannot have every woman worth having--Pity though--when theman is such a VERY clever fellow!