By my soul, said he, and grasped my hand with an eagerness that hurt it, we were born for one another:  you must be mine—­you shall be mine [and put his other hand round me] although my damnation were to be the purchase!

I was still more terrified—­let me leave you, Mr. Lovelace, said I; or do you be gone from me.  Is the passion you boast of to be thus shockingly demonstrated?

You must not go, Madam!—­You must not leave me in anger—­

I will return—­I will return—­when you can be less violent—­less shocking.

And he let me go.

The man quite frighted me; insomuch, that when I got into my chamber, I found a sudden flow of tears a great relief to me.

In half an hour, he sent a little billet, expressing his concern for the vehemence of his behaviour, and prayed to see me.

I went.  Because I could not help myself, I went.

He was full of excuses—­O my dear, what would you, even you, do with such a man as this; and in my situation?

It was very possible for him now, he said, to account for the workings of a beginning phrensy.  For his part, he was near distraction.  All last week to suffer as he had suffered; and now to talk of civil regards only, when he had hoped, from the nobleness of my mind—­

Hope what you will, interrupted I, I must insist upon it, that our minds are by no means suited to each other.  You have brought me into difficulties.  I am deserted by every friend but Miss Howe.  My true sentiments I will not conceal—­it is against my will that I must submit to owe protection from a brother’s projects, which Miss Howe thinks are not given over, to you, who have brought me into these straights:  not with my own concurrence brought me into them; remember that—­

I do remember that, Madam!—­So often reminded, how can I forget it?—­

Yet I will owe to you this protection, if it be necessary, in the earnest hope that you will shun, rather than seek mischief, if any further inquiry after me be made.  But what hinders you from leaving me?—­Cannot I send to you?  The widow Fretchville, it is plain, knows not her own mind:  the people here are more civil to me every day than other:  but I had rather have lodgings more agreeable to my circumstances.  I best know what will suit them; and am resolved not to be obliged to any body.  If you leave me, I will privately retire to some one of the neighbouring villages, and there wait my cousin Morden’s arrival with patience.

I presume, Madam, replied he, from what you have said, that your application to Harlowe-place has proved unsuccessful:  I therefore hope that you will now give me leave to mention the terms in the nature of settlements, which I have long intended to propose to you; and which having till now delayed to do, through accidents not proceeding from myself, I had thoughts of urging to you the moment you entered upon your new house; and upon your finding yourself as independent in appearance as you are in fact.  Permit me, Madam, to propose these matters to you—­ not with an expectation of your immediate answer; but for your consideration.