But I did it; I followed my orders like a slave in a plantation with a whip at his bare back.

I've had rheumatics, weak legs, bad nights, and miss in the sulks--all from obeying the doctor's orders.

And what is my reward?
He turns coiner, and runs away without a word to me beforehand, and writes me a trumpery note, without a date to it, without a farthing of money in it, telling me nothing! Look at my confidence in him, and then look at the way he's treated me in return.
What woman's nerves can stand that?
Don't keep fidgeting with the bottle! Pass it this way, Mr.Softly, or you'll break it, and drive me distracted." "He has no excuse, ma'am," I said.

"But will you allow me to change the subject, as I am pressed for time?
You appear to be so well acquainted with the favorable opinion which Miss Alicia and I entertain of each other, that I hope it will be no fresh shock to your nerves, if I inform you, in plain words, that I have come to Crickgelly to marry her." "Marry her! marry--If you don't leave off fidgeting with the bottle, Mr.
Softly, and change the subject directly, I shall ring the bell." "Hear me out, ma'am, and then ring if you like.

If you persist, however, in considering yourself still the confidential servant of a felon who is now flying for his life, and if you decline allowing the young lady to act as she wishes, I will not be so rude as to hint that--as she is of age--she may walk out of this house with me, whenever she likes, without your having the power to prevent her; but, I will politely ask instead, what you would propose to do with her, in the straitened position as to money in which she and you are likely to be placed?
You can't find her father to give her to; and, if you could, who would be the best protector for her?
The doctor, who is the principal criminal in the eye of the law, or I, who am only the unwilling accomplice?
He is known to the Bow Street runners--I am not.