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of, your absence will be the greatest an- | custom, made directly to the kitchen, where guish which can be felt by, Madam,

"Avec toute le respecte in the world,
"Your most obedient, most absolute
devoté,

"BELLARMINE."

As soon as Leonora perceived such hopes of Bellarmine's recovery, and that the gossip Fame had, according to custom, so enlarged his danger, she presently abandoned all further thoughts of Horatio, and was soon reconciled to her aunt, who received her again into favour, with a more christian forgiveness than we generally meet with. Indeed, it is possible she might be a little alarmed at the hints which her niece had given her concerning the presents. She might apprehend such rumours, should they get abroad, might injure a reputation, which, by frequenting church twice a day, and preserving the utmost rigour and strictness in her countenance and behaviour for many years, she had established.

he found Joseph sitting by the fire, and the hostess anointing his leg; for the horse which Mr. Adams had borrowed of his clerk, had so violent a propensity to kneeling, that one would have thought it had been his trade, as well as his master's: nor would he always give any notice of such his intention; he was often found on his knees, when the rider least expected it. This foible, however, was of no great inconvenience to the parson, who was accustomed to it; and, as his legs almost touched the ground when he bestrode the beast, had but a little way to fall, and threw himself forward on such occasions with so much dexterity, that he never received any mischief; the horse and he frequently rolling many paces distance, and afterwards both getting up, and meeting as good friends as ever.

He had scarce expressed his concern for Joseph's misfortune, before the host likewise entered. He was by no means of Mr. Tow-wouse's gentle disposition; and was, indeed, perfect master of his house, and every thing in it, but his guests.

Poor Joseph, who had not been used to such kind of cattle, though an excellent horseman, did not so happily disengage Leonora's passion returned now for Bel- himself; but falling with his leg under the larmine with greater force, after its small beast, received a violent contusion, to which relaxation, than ever. She proposed to her the good woman was, as we have said, apaunt, to make him a visit in his confinement, plying a warm hand, with some camphowhich the old lady, with great and com-rated spirits, just at the time when the parmendable prudence, advised her to decline: son entered the kitchen. 'For,' says she, 'should any accident intervene to prevent your intended match, too forward a behaviour with this lover may injure you in the eyes of others. Every woman till she is married, ought to consider of, and provide against, the possibility of the affair's breaking off.' Leonora said, 'she should be indifferent to whatever might happen in such a case; for she had now so absolutely placed her affections on this dear man,' (so she called him,)' that, if it was her misfortune to lose him, she should for ever abandon all thoughts of mankind.' She therefore resolved to visit him, notwithstanding all the prudent advice of her aunt to the contrary, and that very afternoon executed her resolution.

The lady was proceeding in her story, when the coach drove into the inn where the company were to dine, solely to the dissatisfaction of Mr. Adams, whose ears were the most hungry part about him; he being, as the reader may perhaps guess, of an insatiable curiosity, and heartily desirous of hearing the end of this amour, though he professed he could scarce wish success to a lady of so inconstant a disposition.

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This surly fellow, who always proportioned his respect to the appearance of a traveller, from God bless your honour,' down to plain 'Coming presently,' observing his wife on her knees to a footman, cried out, without considering his circumstances, What a pox is the woman about? why don't you mind the company in the coach? Go and ask them what they will have for dinner? My dear,' says she, 'you know they can have nothing but what is at the fire, which will be ready presently; and really the poor young man's leg is very much bruised." At which words she fell to chafing more violently than before the bell then happening to ring, he damn'd his wife, and bid her go in to the company, and not stand rubbing there all day; for he did not believe the young fellow's leg was so bad as he pretended; and if it was, within twenty miles he would find a surgeon to cut it off. Upon these words, Adams fetching two strides across the room, and snapping his fingers over his head, muttered aloud, He would excommunicate such a wretch for a farthing; for he believed the devil had more humanity. These words occasioned a dialogue between Adams and the host, in which there were two or three sharp replies, till Joseph bade the latter know how to behave

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himself to his betters. At which the host, | of murder presently brought into the kitch (having first strictly surveyed Adams,) scorn-en, where the several combatants were found fully repeating the word betters, flew into a in the postures already described. rage, and telling Joseph, he was as able to It was now no difficulty to put an end to walk out of his house, as he had been to the fray, the conquerors being satisfied with walk into it, offered to lay violent hands on the vengeance they had taken, and the conhim: which perceiving, Adams dealt him quered having no appetite to renew the so sound a compliment over his face with fight. The principal figure, and which enhis fist, that the blood immediately gushed gaged the eyes of all, was Adams, who was out of his nose in a stream. The host be-all over covered with blood, which the whole ing unwilling to be outdone in courtesy, company concluded to be his own; and especially by a person of Adams's figure, consequently imagined him no longer for returned the favour with so much gratitude, this world. But the host, who had now that the parson's nostrils began to look a recovered from his blow, and was risen from little redder than usual. Upon which he the ground, soon delivered them from this again assailed his antagonist, and with an-apprehension, by damning his wife for wastother stroke laid him sprawling on the floor. ing the hog's puddings, and telling her, all The hostess, who was a better wife than would have been very well, if she had not so surly a husband deserved, seeing her intermeddled, like a b- as she was; adding, husband all bloody and stretched along, he was very glad the gentlewoman had hastened presently to his assistance, or paid her, though not half what she deservrather to revenge the blow, which, to all ap-ed. The poor woman had indeed fared pearance, was the last he would ever re- much the worst; having, besides the unceive; when, lo! a pan full of hog's blood, merciful cuffs received, lost a quantity of which unluckily stood on the dresser, pre-hair, which Mrs. Slipslop in triumph held sented itself first to her hands. She seized in her left hand. it in her fury, and, without any reflection, The traveller, addressing himself to Mrs. discharged it into the parson's face; and Graveairs, desired her not to be frightened; with so good an aim, that much the greater for here had been only a little boxing, which part first saluted his countenance, and trick- he said to their disgracia the English were led thence in so large a current down to his accustomata to: adding, it must be, howbeard, and all over his garments, that a ever, a sight somewhat strange to him, who more horrible spectacle was hardly to be was just come from Italy; the Italians not seen, or even imagined. All which was being addicted to the cuffardo, but bastonza, perceived by Mrs. Slipslop, who entered the says he. He then went up to Adams, and kitchen at that instant. This good gentle-telling him he looked like the Ghost o. woman, not being of a temper so extremely cool and patient, as perhaps was required to ask many questions on this occasion, flew with great impetuosity at the hostess's cap, which, together with some of her hair, she plucked from her head in a moment, giving her, at the same time, several hearty cuffs in the face; which, by frequent practice on the inferior servants, she had learned an ex- One of the gentlemen having learned cellent knack of delivering with a good from the host the occasion of this bustle; grace. Poor Joseph could hardly rise from and being assured by him, that Adams had his chair; the parson was employed in wip-struck the first blow, whispered in his ear, ing the blood from his eyes, which had en-He'd warrant he would recover.'-'Retirely blinded him; and the landlord was cover! master,' said the host, smiling; yes, but just beginning to stir; whilst Mrs. Slip- yes, I am not afraid of dying with a blow slop, holding down the landlady's face with her left hand, made so dexterous a use of her right, that the poor woman began to roar, in a key which alarmed all the company in the inn.

There happened to be in the inn, at this time, besides the ladies who arrived in the stage-coach, the two gentlemen who were present at Mr. Tow-wouse's, when Joseph was detained for his horse's meat, and whom we have before mentioned to have stopped at the alehouse with Adams. There was likewise a gentleman just returned from his travels to Italy; all whom the horrid outcry

Othello, bid him not shake his gory locks at him, for he could not say he did it. Adams very innocently answered, Sir, I am far from accusing you.' He then returned to the lady and cried, 'I find the bloody gentleman is uno insipido del nullo senso. Dammata di me, if I have seen such a spectaculo in my way from Viterbo.'

or two neither; I am not such a chicken as that.'-' Pugh!' said the gentleman, 'I mean you will recover damages in that action, which, undoubtedly, you intend to bring, as soon as a writ can be returned from London; for you look like a man of too much spirit and courage to suffer any one to beat you without bringing your action against him: he must be a scandalous fellow indeed, who would put up with a drubbing whilst the law is open to revenge it; besides, he hath drawn blood from you, and spoiled your coat; and the jury will give damages for that too. An excellent new

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coat, upon my word; and now not worth | The coachman began now to grow ima shilling! I don't care,' continued he, to portunate with his passengers, whose enintermeddle in these cases; but you have trance into the coach was retarded by Miss a right to my evidence; and if I am sworn Graveairs insisting, against the remonstrance I must speak the truth. I saw you sprawl- of all the rest, that she would not admit a ing on the floor, and the blood gushing from footman into the coach; for poor Joseph your nostrils. You may take your own was too lame to mount a horse. A young opinion; but was I in your circumstances, lady, who was, as it seems, an earl's grandevery drop of my blood should convey an daughter, begged it, with almost tears in ounce of gold into my pocket: remember I her eyes. Mr. Adams prayed, and Mrs. don't advise you to go to law; but if your Slipslop scolded; but all to no purpose. jury were christians, they must give swinge- She said, 'She would not demean herself to ing damages. That's all.'-Master,' cried ride with a footman: that there were wathe host, scratching his head, I have no gons on the road: that if the master of the stomach to law, I thank you. I have seen coach desired it, she would pay for two enough of that in the parish, where two of places; but would suffer no such fellow to my neighbours have been at law about a come in.'-' Madam,' says Slipslop, 'I am house, till they have both lawed themselves sure no one can refuse another coming into into a jail.' At which word he turned about, a stage-coach.'-'I don't know, madam,' and began to inquire again after his hogs' says the lady: 'I am not much used to stagepuddings; nor would it probably have been coaches; I seldom travel in them.' That a sufficient excuse for his wife, that she may be, madam,' replied Slipslop; 'very spilt them in his defence, had not some awe good people do; and some people's betters, of the company, especially of the Italian tra- for aught I know.' Miss Graveairs said, veller, who was a person of great dignity, Some folks might sometimes give their withheld his rage. tongues a liberty, to some people that were Whilst one of the above-mentioned gen- their betters, which did not become them; tlemen was employed, as we have seen him, for her part, she was not used to converse on the behalf of the landlord, the other was with servants.' Slipslop returned, 'Some no less hearty on the side of Mr. Adams, people kept no servants to converse with; whom he advised to bring his action imme- for her part, she thanked Heaven she lived diately. He said, the assault of the wife in a family where there were a great many; was in law the assault of the husband, for and had more under her own command, they were but one person; and he was lia- than any paltry little gentlewoman in the ble to pay damages, which he said must be kingdom.' Miss Graveairs cried, 'She be→ considerable, where so bloody a disposition lieved her mistress would not encourage appeared. Adams answered, if it was true such sauciness to her betters.' My betthat they were but one person, he had as-ters,' says Slipslop, 'who is my betters, saulted the wife; for he was sorry to own pray? I am your betters,' answered Miss he had struck the husband the first blow. Graveairs, and I'll acquaint your mistress.' "I am sorry you own it too,' cries the gentle--At which Mrs. Slipslop laughed aloud, man: for it could not possibly appear to the court; for here was no evidence present, but the lame man in the chair, whom I suppose to be your friend; and would consequently say nothing but what made for you.'-How, sir,' says Adams, do you take me for a villain, who would prosecute revenge in cold blood, and use unjustifiable means to obtain it? If you knew me, and my order, I should think you affronted both.' At the word order, the gentleman stared, (for he was too bloody to be of any modern order of knights;) and turning hastily about, said, 'Every man knew his own business.' Matters being now composed, the company retired to their several apartments; the two gentlemen congratulating each other on the success of their good offices, in procuring a perfect reconciliation between the contending parties; and the traveller went to his repast, crying, 'As the Italian poet says,

Je voi very well, que tuta e pace,
So send up dinner, good Boniface.'

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and told her, 'Her lady was one of the great gentry; and such little paltry gentlewomen, as some folks, who travelled in stage-coaches, would not easily come at her,

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This smart dialogue between some people and some folks, was going on at the coach door, when a solemn person riding into the inn, and seeing Miss Graveairs, immediately accosted her with Dear child, how do you do?" She presently answered, 'O! papa, I am glad you have overtaken me.' So am I,' answered he; for one of our coaches is just at hand: and there being room for you in it, you shall go no farther in the stage, unless you desire it.'How can you imagine I should desire it?'" says she; so bidding Slipslop ride with her fellow, if she pleased, she took her father by the hand, who was just alighted, and walked with him into a room.

Adams instantly asked the coachman, in a whisper, 'If he knew who the gentleman was?' The coachman answered,' He was now a gentleman, and kept his horse and

man; but times are altered, master,' said he; | have warmed it. Indeed, there are some 'I remember when he was no better born wretched, miserable old objects, that turn than myself.'-'Ay! ay!' says Adams. one's stomach; I should not wonder if she 'My father drove the squire's coach,' answered he, when that very man rode postillion; but he is now his steward; and a great gentleman.' Adams then snapped his fingers and cried, 'He thought she was some such trollop.'

had refused such a one; I am as nice as herself; and should have cared no more than herself for the company of stinking old fellows; but, hold up thy head, Joseph, thou art none of those; and she who hath not compulsion for thee, is a Myhummetman, and I will maintain it.' This conversation made Joseph uneasy, as well as the ladies; who, perceiving the spirits which Mrs. Slipslop was in, (for indeed she was not a cup too low,) began to fear the consequence; one of them therefore desired the lady to conclude the story. Ay, madam,' said Slipslop, I beg your ladyship to give us that story you commensated in the morning;' which request that well-bred woman immediately complied with.

Adams made haste to acquaint Mrs. Slipslop with this good news, as he imagined it; but it found a reception different from what he expected. The prudent gentlewoman, who despised the anger of Miss Graveairs, whilst she conceived her the daughter of a gentleman of small fortune; now she heard her alliance with the upper servants of a great family in her neighbourhood, began to fear her interest with the mistress. She wished she had not carried the dispute so far, and began to think of endeavouring to reconcile herself to the young lady before she left the inn; when, luckily, the scene at London, which the reader can scarce have forgotten, presented itself to her mind; and comforted her with such assurance, that she no longer appre-bounds which custom and modesty impose hended any enemy with her mistress.

Every thing being now adjusted, the company entered the coach; which was just on its departure, when one lady recollected she had left her fan, a second her gloves, a third a snuff-box, and a fourth a smelling-bottle behind her; to find all which occasioned some delay, and much swearing to the coachman.

CHAPTER VI.

Conclusion of the unfortunate jilt. LEONORA having once broke through the

on her sex, soon gave an unbridled indulgence to her passion. Her visits to Bellarmine were more constant, as well as longer, than his surgeon's: in a word, she became absolutely his nurse; made his water-gruel, administered him his medicines, and, notwithstanding the prudent advice of her aunt to the contrary, almost entirely resided in her wounded lover's apartment.

discreet and starch carriage, together with a constant attendance at church three times a-day, had utterly defeated many malicious attacks on her own reputation; for such was the envy that Lindamira's virtue had

As soon as the coach had left the inn, the The ladies of the town began to take her women all together fell to the character of conduct under consideration: it was the Miss Graveairs; whom one of them de- chief topic of discourse at their tea-tables, clared she had suspected to be some low and was very severely censured by the most creature, from the beginning of their jour-part; especially by Lindamira, a lady whose ney; and another affirmed, had not even the looks of a gentlewoman: a third warranted she was no better than she should be; and turning to the lady who had related the story in the coach, said, 'Did you ever hear, madam, any thing so prudish as her re-attracted, that, notwithstanding her own marks? Well, deliver me from the censoriousness of such a prude.' The fourth added, 'O madam! all these creatures are censorious; but for my part, I wonder where the wretch was bred; indeed, I must own I have seldom conversed with these mean kind of people; so that it may appear stranger to me; but to refuse the general desire of a whole company had something in it so astonishing, that, for my part, I own I should hardly believe it, if my own ears had not been witness to it.'-' Yes, and so handsome a young fellow,' cries Slipslop; the woman must have no compulsion in her: I believe she is more of a Turk than a Christian; I am certain if she had any christian women's blood in her veins, the sight of such a young fellow must

strict behaviour and strict inquiry into the lives of others, she had not been able to escape being the mark of some arrows herself, which, however, did her no injury; a blessing, perhaps, owed by her to the clergy, who were her chief male companions, and with two or three of whom she had been barbarously and unjustly calumniated.

Not so unjustly neither, perhaps,' says Slipslop; for the clergy are men, as well as other folks.'

The extreme delicacy of Lindamira's virtue was cruelly hurt by those freedoms which Leonora allowed herself: she said, 'It was an affront to her sex; that she did not imagine it consistent with any woman's honour to speak to the creature, or to be seen in her company; and that, for her part,

she should always refuse to dance at an | geous match for his daughter: he therefore assembly with her, for fear of contamination very readily accepted his proposals: but by taking her by the hand.' when Bellarmine imagined the principal af

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But to return to my story: as soon as fair concluded, and began to open the inciBellarmine was recovered, which was some-dental matters of fortune, the old gentleman what within a month from his receiving the presently changed his countenance, saying, wound, he set out, according to agreement, He resolved never to marry his daughter for Leonora's father's, in order to propose on a Smithfield match; that whoever had the match, and settle all matters with him love for her to take her, would, when he touching settlements, and the like. died, find her share of his fortune in his cofA little before his arrival, the old gentle-fers; but he had seen such examples of unman had received an intimation of the aflair by the following letter, which I can repeat verbatim, and which, they say, was written neither by Leonora nor her aunt, though it was in a woman's hand. The letter was in these words:

"SIR,

"I AM sorry to acquaint you, that your daughter Leonora hath acted one of the basest, as well as most simple parts, with a young gentleman to whom she had engaged herself, and whom she hath, (pardon the word,) jilted for another of inferior fortune, notwithstanding his superior figure. You may take what measures you please on this occasion: I have performed what I thought my duty; as I have, though unknown to you, a very great respect for your family."

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dutifulness happen from the too early generosity of parents, that he had made a vow never to part with a shilling whilst he lived.' He commended the saying of Solomon," He that spareth the rod, spoileth the child;" but added, He might have likewise asserted, That he that spareth the purse, saveth the child.' He then ran into a discourse on the extravagance of the youth of the age; whence he launched into a dissertation on horses; and came at length to commend those Bellarmine drove. That fine gentleman, who at another season would have been well enough pleased to dwell a little on that subject, was now very eager to resume the circumstance of fortune. He said, 'He had a very high value for the young lady, and would receive her with less than he would any other whatever; but that even his love to her made some regard to worldly The old gentleman did not give himself matters necessary; for it would be a most the trouble to answer this kind epistle; nor distracting sight for him to see her, when did he take any notice of it, after he had he had the honour to be her husband, in less read it, till he saw Bellarmine. He was, to than a coach and six.' The old gentleman say the truth, one of those fathers who look answered, Four will do; four will do ;' and on children as an unhappy consequence of then took a turn from horses to extravatheir youthful pleasures; which, as he would gance, and from extravagance to horses, till have been delighted not to have had attend- he came round to the equipage again; whied them, so was he no less pleased with an ther he was no sooner arrived, than Bellaropportunity to rid himself of the incum- mine brought him back to the point; but all brance. He passed, in the world's lan- to no purpose; he made his escape from guage, as an exceeding good father; being that subject in a minute; till at last the lover not only so rapacious as to rob and plun- declared, 'That, in the present situation of der all mankind to the utmost of his power, his affairs, it was impossible for him, though but even to deny himself the conveniences, he loved Leonora more than tout le monde, and almost necessaries, of life; which his to marry her without any fortune.' To neighbours attributed to a desire of raising which the father answered, He was sorry immense fortunes for his children: but in then his daughter must lose so valuable a fact it was not so: he heaped up money for match: that if he had an inclination, at preits own sake only, and looked on his children sent it was not in his power to advance a as his rivals, who were to enjoy his beloved shilling: that he had had great losses, and mistress when he was incapable of possess-been at great expenses on projects; which, ing her, and which he would have been though he had great expectation from them, much more charmed with the power of carrying along with him: nor had his children any other security of being his heirs, than that the law would constitute them such without a will, and that he had not affection enough for any one living, to take the trouble of writing one.

had yet produced him nothing: that he did not know what might happen hereafter, as on the birth of a son, or such accident; but he would make no promise, nor enter into any article, for he would not break his vow for all the daughters in the world,'

In short, ladies, to keep you no longer in To this gentleman came Bellarmine, on suspense, Bellarmine having tried every arthe errand I have mentioned. His person, gument and persuasion which he could inhis equipage, his family, and his estate, seem-vent, and finding them all ineffectual, at ed to the father to make him an advanta-length took his leave, but not in order to re

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