should have any dislike to them.

I thought, notwithstanding my resolution above-mentioned, that it would
seem too punctilious to deny him, under the circumstances he had
mentioned: having, besides, no reason to think he would obey me; for he
looked as if he were determined to debate the matter with me. And now,
as I see no likelihood of a reconciliation with my friends, and as I have
actually received his addresses, I thought I would not quarrel with him,
if I could help it, especially as he asked to stay but for one night, and
could have done so without my knowing it; and you being of opinion, that
the proud wretch, distrusting his own merits with me, or at least my
regard for him, will probably bring me to some concessions in his favour
--for all these reasons, I thought proper to yield this point: yet I was
so vexed with him on the other, that it was impossible for me to comply
with that grace which a concession should be made with, or not made at
all.

This was what I said--What you will do, you must do, I think. You are
very ready to promise; very ready to depart from your promise. You say,
however, that you will set out to-morrow for the country. You know how
ill I have been. I am not well enough now to debate with you upon your
encroaching ways. I am utterly dissatisfied with the tale you have told
below. Nor will I promise to appear to the people of the house to-morrow
what I am not.

He withdrew in the most respectful manner, beseeching me only to favour
him with such a meeting in the morning as might not make the widow and
her nieces think he had given me reason to be offended with him.

I retired to my own apartment, and Dorcas came to me soon after to take