He added, that all the countries in the world were alike to him, but on
your account: so that, whatever he should think fit to do, were you lost
to him, he should have noting to apprehend from the laws of this.

I did not like the determined air he spoke this with: he is certainly
capable of great rashness.

He palliated a little this fierceness (which by the way I warmly
censured) by saying, That while you remain single, he will bear all the
indignities that shall be cast upon him by your family. But would you
throw yourself, if you were still farther driven, into any other
protection, if not Lord M.'s, or that of the ladies of his family, into
my mother's,* suppose; or would you go to London to private lodgings,
where he would never visit you, unless he had your leave (and from whence
you might make your own terms with your relations); he would be entirely
satisfied; and would, as he had said before, wait the effect of your
cousin's arrival, and your free determination as to his own fate.
Adding, that he knew the family so well, and how much fixed they were
upon their measures, as well as the absolute dependence they had upon
your temper and principles, that he could not but apprehend the worst,
while you remained in their power, and under the influence of their
persuasions and menaces.


* Perhaps it will be unnecessary to remind the reader, that although Mr.
Lovelace proposes (as above) to Miss Howe, that her fair friend should
have recourse to the protection of Mrs. Howe, if farther driven; yet he
had artfully taken care, by means of his agent in the Harlowe family, not
only to inflame the family against her, but to deprive her of Mrs.
Howe's, and of every other protection, being from the first resolved to