I was willing to write up to the time. Although I have not carried my
principal point, I shall make something turn out if my favour from
Captain Tomlinson's errand. But let me give thee this caution; that thou
do not pretend to judge of my devices by parts; but have patience till
thou seest the whole. But once more I swear, that I will not be
out-Norris'd by a pair of novices. And yet I am very apprehensive, at
times, of the consequences of Miss Howe's smuggling scheme.

My conscience, I should think, ought not to reproach me for a
contrivance, which is justified by the contrivances of two such girls as
these: one of whom (the more excellent of the two) I have always, with
her own approbation, as I imagine, proposed for my imitation.

But here, Jack, is the thing that concludes me, and cases my heart with
adamant: I find, by Miss Howe's letters, that it is owing to her, that I
have made no greater progress with my blooming fair-one. She loves me.
The ipecacuanha contrivance convinces me that she loves me. Where there
is love there must be confidence, or a desire of having reason to
confide. Generosity, founded on my supposed generosity, has taken hold
of her heart. Shall I not now see (since I must forever be unhappy, if I
marry her, and leave any trial unessayed) what I can make of her love,
and her newly-raised confidence?--Will it not be to my glory to succeed?
And to her's and to the honour of her sex, if I cannot?--Where then will
be the hurt to either, to make the trial? And cannot I, as I have often
said,
reward her when I will by marriage?

'Tis late, or rather early; for the day begins to dawn upon me. I am
plaguy heavy. Perhaps I need not to have told thee that. But will only
indulge a doze in my chair for an hour; then shake myself, wash and