roving, as for my well-acted indifference.' That was her kind
expression.

Whatever was his motive for a patience so generally believed to be out
of his usual character, and where the object of his address was
supposed to be of fortune considerable enough to engage his warmest
attention, he certainly escaped many mortifications by it: for while my
father suspended his approbation till my brother's arrival, Mr.
Lovelace received from every one those civilities which were due to
his birth: and although we heard from time to time reports to his
disadvantage with regard to morals, yet could we not question him upon
them without giving him greater advantages in his own opinion than the
situation he was in with us would justify to prudence; since it was
much more likely that his address would not be allowed of, than that
it would.

And thus was he admitted to converse with our family almost upon his
own terms; for while my friends saw nothing in his behaviour but what
was extremely respectful, and observed in him no violent importunity,
they seemed to have taken a great liking to his conversation: While I
considered him only as a common guest when he came; and thought myself
no more concerned in his visits, not at his entrance and departure,
than any other of the family.

But this indifference on my side was the means of procuring him one
very great advantage; since upon it was grounded that correspondence
by letters which succeeded;--and which, had it been to be begun when
the family animosity broke out, would never have been entered into on
my part. The occasion was this: