Never, never, repeated she, will I be your’s!

Only forgive me, my dearest life, this one time!—­A virtue so invincible! what further view can I have against you?—­Have I attempted any further outrage?—­If you will be mine, your injuries will be injuries done to myself.  You have too well guessed at the unnatural arts that have been used.  But can a greater testimony be given of your virtue?—­And now I have only to hope, that although I cannot make you complete amends, yet you will permit me to make you all the amends that can possibly be made.

Here [sic] me out, I beseech you, Madam; for she was going to speak with an aspect unpacifiedly angry:  the God, whom you serve, requires but repentance and amendment.  Imitate him, my dearest love, and bless me with the means of reforming a course of life that begins to be hateful to me.  That was once your favourite point.  Resume it, dearest creature, in charity to a soul, as well as body, which once, as I flattered myself, was more than indifferent to you, resume it.  And let to-morrow’s sun witness to our espousals.

I cannot judge thee, said she; but the god to whom thou so boldly referrest can, and, assure thyself, He will.  But, if compunction has really taken hold of thee—­if, indeed, thou art touched for thy ungrateful baseness, and meanest any thing by this pleading the holy example thou recommendest to my imitation; in this thy pretended repentant moment, let me sift thee thoroughly, and by thy answer I shall judge of the sincerity of thy pretended declarations.

Tell me, then, is there any reality in the treaty thou has pretended to be on foot between my uncle and Capt.  Tomlinson, and thyself?—­Say, and hesitate not, is there any truth in that story?—­But, remember, if there be not, and thou avowest that there is, what further condemnation attends to thy averment, if it be as solemn as I require it to be!

This was a cursed thrust!  What could I say!—­Surely this merciless lady is resolved to d—­n me, thought I, and yet accuses me of a design against her soul!—­But was I not obliged to proceed as I had begun?

In short, I solemnly averred that there was!—­How one crime, as the good folks say, brings on another!

I added, that the Captain had been in town, and would have waited on her, had she not been indisposed; that he went down much afflicted, as well on her account, as on that of her uncle; though I had not acquainted him either with the nature of her disorder, or the ever-to-be-regretted occasion of it, having told him that it was a violent fever; That he had twice since, by her uncle’s desire, sent up to inquire after her health; and that I had already dispatched a man and horse with a letter, to acquaint him, (and her uncle through him,) with her recovery; making it my earnest request, that he would renew his application to her uncle for the favour of his presence at the private celebrations of our nuptials; and that I expected an answer, if not this night, as to-morrow.