Solmes's wife.--Prevent, therefore, now that it is in your power to
prevent, the fatal mischief that will follow such a dreadful certainty.

While I have any room for hope, it concerns your honour, Mr. Lovelace, as
well as mine, (if you have the value for me you pretend, and wish me to
believe you,) that my conduct in this great point should justify my
prudence.

Your prudence, Madam! When has that been questionable? Yet what stead
has either your prudence or your duty stood you in, with people so
strangely determined?

And then he pathetically enumerated the different instances of the harsh
treatment I had met with; imputing all to the malice and caprice of a
brother, who set every body against him: and insisting, that I had no
other way to bring about a reconciliation with my father and uncles, than
by putting myself out of the power of my brother's inveterate malice.

Your brother's whole reliance, proceeded he, has been upon your easiness
to bear his insults. Your whole family will seek to you, when you have
freed yourself from this disgraceful oppression. When they know you are
with those who can and will right you, they will give up to you your own
estate. Why then, putting his arms around me, and again drawing me with
a gentle force after him, do you hesitate a moment?--Now is the time--Fly
with me, then, I beseech you, my dearest creature! Trust your persecuted
adorer. Have we not suffered in the same cause? If any imputations are
cast upon you, give me the honour (as I shall be found to deserve it) to
call you mine; and, when you are so, shall I not be able to protect both
your person and character?