Si' us, '» ** ^hit ^ihu 'iinjri/ ^/^ [HP Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Duke University Libraries http://www.archive.org/details/historyofmissbet01hayw THE HISTORY / // Mifs Betjy Thoughtlefs, In Two Volumes. V O L. I. I) V B L J N: printed for R O B E R T MAIN, BooigVIIcr, in Dame-^reet, oppofite Foivmis-Jireeu M;DCC;LII. r^vi. m ,\>v\V\;^ft^ iU CONTENTS To the Firft Volume. CHAP. I. GIVE S the reader room to guefs at ivbat is to mfuey though ten tv one but he jindshitnfelf .deceived, p. I CHAP. II. Shzvs fnifs Betfy in a kexu fcene of iifc^ and the frequent opportunities Jhc had of putting in pra^icc thofe hfons J he n.vas hegiiming to receive from her young injlruclrcfs at the boarding fchool. 6 CHAP. III. Affhrds fnattcr of con dp lance, . or raillety, according to the humour the reader happens to he in for cither. i 5 CHAP. IV. Verifies the oid proverb , that one afli^ion treads r/pc^n ih?. . heels of another . 2 ; CHAP. V. Contains nothing very extraordinary^ yet fuch thir.gs a: avf. highly proper to be knon.vn. 5 o C H A P. \l. May he of fotne feri-ice to jhe ladies, cfpecially the younger .fort, if ifjell attended to. 3-T CHAP. VII. Is a mcdlty of various particulars, iK-hich pave the ^cvay for matters ef more confcqucnce. A.Z C HA P. VIII. * ' ( Relates hon.v, by a concurrence of odd circumfiaKccs^ Tnifs Betly v:as brought pretty near the' crifs of her fate, cmd the means by v:hich Jhe efcapcd. /o C H A P. IX. t^oirti. ins fuch things as might be reafonahly expe^ed, after the prccidi-ig adventure. 61 C H A P. X. Gives the cafafirophe of the Oxfird ra??jblc, and in v:hat mannei- the ladies return to London. ' yo CHAP. XI. Lays a foundation for ma77y evatts to be produced by time, and ivaited for ^.dth patience^ - - - 76 A 2 C H A ? \t' f 5^ C^t il CONTENTS. CHAP. XTI.. ,. /; little more than a conthmance of the former. 84 CHAP. Xill. Contains fome fart of the hijlory of Mfs For-ward'' s ad- cs an a:{Ount of the CONTENTS. iii the fuccefs of a plvt laid by -wr. Chatjrif, for the dif- ctn'cry of mifs Bcifys real inc^nations, ' 1 84. C H A P. XXIV. Willfathfy the reader i curioftyin feme pahitSy and incrcafg itviQthers. . 191 CHAP. XXV. Contaim fomc p^fJ'^gfs, n.i'hich, pirlfapt mdy be looked upon (ts pretty extraordinary, 198 CHAP. XXVI. Difco-vcrs to mifs Bctfy apiecce of treachery f:e little (tcpeBid to hear of 206 CHAP. XXVII. ilas 'Very little in it^ bcfides a colledion of Ictteriy fame of nvhicb are much to the purpofey otherj Iff fo, zij C H A P. XXVill. Serves as afupplcment to the former. 226 C H A P, XXIX, Seems to bring things pntts near a conclufott, 233 CHAP. XXX. Is the better for being /hort. 240 CHAP. XXXI. Contninjfome incidents nvhich ikHI be found equally intcrffling and entertaining, or the author is 'very much mifiakcn, 244 C.H A P. XXXII. Is set more interefting than the former, 252 CHAP. XXXIII. Cannot fail of ex citijig compaffioH in fome reader s^ though it maynwye others to laughter. 260 C H A P. XXXIV. Sheifs iihnt e^e^s the tranfa^ions, of the preceding night had on the minds of juifs Bctfy and mr. True^v.'orth, 268 CHAP.' XXXV. Contaitu feme paffnges, nvhhh, it is probable, iiill afford more pain than pkafure, yet arc i\iy pertinent to the hifory, luid nccejjary to be repeated. 2 "6 CHAP. XXXM. Js the recital of fome accidents, as little poffthk to he for hen by the reader, as they n,vere by the perfons to nihom they happened, 28"i CHAP. iv CONTENTS. CHAP. XXXVII. Gi reader may expeci to hear-. 3 2 S"* c H A p: XLII. Is multum inpar'vo. 333 C H A P. XLIII. S^heivs mifs Betfy left intirely to her onvn managemmt, and the caife of it, entioncd by tlie govcrnefs. 'i^he poor lad was terrified beyond mcafjre at his father's anger, and confcfled every particular of his meetings witli Mifs Forward and her companion ; and tlius Mu's Betfy's fhaie of tlic contrivance was brought to light, and drew on her a reprimand c- qualiy fevere with that Mifs Forward had recei\ cd. 'i1ie careful govcrnefs would notimirely depend on the afiurances the farther of S'larlifh had civen her, and refolded to iruft neither of the ladies out of h'.r fight, while that young gentleman renjained fo near ihcm, which flie knew would be but a (hort time, B 3 l.e 6 The n IS r OR Y cf he having finilhed his fchool learning, and was foon to go to the Univerfity, To prevent, alfo, any future ftratagems being laid between Mifs Betfy and Mifs Forward, flic took care to keep them from ever being alone together, which was a very great mortification to them j but a fudden turn fooii ;»fter happened in the affairs of Mifs Betfy, which put all I have been relating entirely oui of her head. CHAP. II. Shnvs Mifs Betfy in a new fcene of llfe^ and the frequent opportunities fhe had of putting in prac* iice thofe lejjons fhe was beginning to receive from her young infiru6frefs at the hoar ding- fchooL TH O' it is certainly neceflary to inculcate into young girls all imaginable precaution, in regard to their behaviour towards thofe of another fex, yet I know not if it is not an error to dwell too much upon that topic. Mifs Betfy might, pof- fibly, have fooncr forgot the little artifices {!i\^ had feen pra6tifed by Mifs Forward, if her governefs, by too ftrenuoufly endeavouring to convince her how unbecoming they were, had not reminded her of them. Befides, the good old gentlewoman was far flricken in years ; — lime had itt his iron fingers on her cheeks, — had left his cruel marks on every feature of the face, and (he had little remains cf bavins; ever been capable of exciting thofe inclina- tions flic fo much condemned \ — fo that what flic faid fccmed to Mifs Bttfy as fpoke out of envy, or to (hew her authority, rather than the real dictates of truth. I have often remarked, that reproofs froin the old and ugly have much lefs ciBcacy than when given il///} Betsy Thoughtless. 7 given by perfons lefs advanced in years, and who may be fuppo/ed not altogether paft fenfibility them- felves of the gaieties they advife others to avoid. Tho* all the old gentlewoman faid could not perAjade Mifs Betfy there was any harm in Mifs Forward's behaviour towards young Sparkifh, yet fhe had the complaifance to liften to her with all tha attention the other could expe^i:, 01 dcfire from her. She was, indeed, as yet too young to confuler of the juftice of the other's reafoning, and her future^ conduct (heweJ, alio, (he was not of a humour to give her felf much pains in examining, or weighing in theballance of judgment, the merit of the argu- ments (he heard urged, whether for or againft any point v./hatfoever. She had a great deal of wir, but was too volatile for rcflccStiop, and as a (liip, with- out fufficient ballaft, is toft about at the ple^ilirc of every wind that blows, fo was ilie hurried thro' the ocean of life, juft as each predominant paiTion di* reeled. But I will not anticipate that gratification, which ought to be the reward of a long curioiity. The reader, if he has patience to go thro' the following pages, will fee into the fccret fprings which fct this fair machine in motion, and produced many aclit>ns, which were afcribed, by the ill-jaJging and mali- cious world, to caufcs very difFerent from the real ones. Ail this, I fay, will be revealed in time ; but it would be as abfurd in a writer to rulh all at once into the cataftrophe of the adventures he would re- late, as it would be impra6ticable in a traveller to reach the end of a long journey, without fome- times flopping at the inns in his way to it. To proceed therefore gradually with my hiilory. The father of Mifs Betfy was a very worthy, honeft, and good natured man, but fomewhat too B 4, indolent J S rhe HISTORY of indolent ; and, by depending too much on the fidelity of thofe he entrufted with the^Tianagement ct his affairs, had been fur fevcral years involved in a law fiiit, and, to liis misfortune, the averfion he had to bufinefs rendered him alfo incapable of ex- tricating himfclf from it, and the dccifion was fpun out to a much greater length than it need to have been, could he have been prevailed upon to have attended in perfon the feveral courts of juftice the caufe had been carried thro', by his more induftri- ous advcrfary. 1 he exorbitant bills, hov.'cver, which his lawyers were continually drawiiig upon hirn, joined with the prelTing remonftrances of his friends, at lad roufed him from that inactivity of rhind, which had already cofl him fo dear, and d^terniined him not only to take a journey to Lon- don, but likewife not to return home, 'till he had £ien a final end put to this perplexing affair. Be.'ore his departure he weiit to the boarding- fchool, to take his leave of his beloved Betfy, and jcnev/ the charge he had frequently given the go- verncfs concerning her education ; adding, in a i:iournful accent, that it would be a long time be- iore he faw her again. ■ Thefe words, as it proved, had fomewhat of prophetic in them. On his arrival in London, he k>und his caufe in fo perplexed and entangled a fi- tuaiion, as gave him liule hopes of ever bringing it to a favourable iffuc. The vexation and fatigue he underwent on this account, joined with the clofcnefsof the town air, which had never agreed with his conflitution, even in his younger years, foon thrcv/ him into that fort of confumption, which goes by the name of a galloping one, and they fay, k the mod difficult of any to be removed. He died in about three months, without being able to do •*\\y great matters concerning the affair, which had diavvn him from his peaceful home, aid according to Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 9 to all probability haft^ed his fate. Being per- U6k\y fenfible, and convinced of his approaching diflblution, he made his will, bequcatliirg the bulk of his eflate to him whofe right it v/as, his eldcll fon, then upon his travels thro' the gicatcft part of Europe J all hisperfonals, which wcie very con- fiderable in the bank, and other public funds, he ordered fliould be equally divided between Francis hisfccond fon, at that timea ftudcnt at Oxford, and Mils Bctly ; conftituting, at the finu time, ai Iruftees to the faid te'hment, S\f Ralph Trufty, his near neighbour in the country, and Mr. (jood- man, a wealthy merchant in the city of London \ both of them gentlemen of unqueftionabic integrity, a!)d with whom he had preferved a long and unin- terrupted friendfhip. On the arrival of this melancholy news, Mi/*s Bctfy felt as much grief as it w.;s poiFiblc tor a heart io young and gay as hers to be capable of ; but a little time, for the mofl part, fcrves to obliterate the memory of misfortunes of this nature, even in perfbns of a riper age ; and had Mils Betfy been more afflidied than (he was, fomething happened foon after, which would have very much contii- buted to her confulation. Mr. Goodman having lived without marrying tifl he had reached an age, v:hich one fhould have ima- gined would have prevented him from thinking of it at all, at laft took it into hio head to become a huf- band. The perfon he made choice of was called Lady Mellafmj reli6l of a baronet, who having little or no eftate, had accepted of a fmall employ- ment about the court, inv/hich poft he died, leav- ing her la.lyfhip one daughter, named Flora, in a very deftitute condition. Goodman, however, had wealth enough for both, and confuited no other in- tereft than that of his heart. B 5 A5 JO 5-/;^ H I S T O R Y of As for the lady, the motive on which fbc had con- fented to be his wife may eafily be guefled ; and ■when once made fo, gained fuch an abfolutc afcen- dancyover him, that whatever {he declared as her will, with him had the force of a law. She had an avcrfion to the city ; he immediately took a houfe of her choofnigat St. James's, inconvenient as it w£S for his bufinefs. Whatever fervants (he difapprovcd, tho' of never fo long landing, and of the mod approved fidelity, were difcharged, and others, more agreeable to her, put in their places. In fine, nothing (lie dcfired was denied j he confidered her as an oracle of wit and wifdom, and thought it would be an unpardonable arrogance to atrem.pt to fct his reafon againft hers. This lady was no focner informed of the truft repofed in him, than flie told him, flie thought it would be highly proper for Mifs Betfy to be fent for from the fchool, and boarded with them, not only as her daughter would be a fine companion for that young orphan, they being much of the fame age, and (lie herfelf was more capable of improving lier mind, than any govcrnefs of a fchool could be fuppcfcd to be; but that alfo having l-.er under his •own eye, he would be more'able to difchargc his ^uty towwirds her as a guardian, than if Ilie were at the dlRance of near an h.undred miles. There was fomething in this propofal which had indeed the face of a great deal of good-nature and confiucration for Mifs Bctfy, at leaft it feemed high- ly fo to Mr. Goodman ; but as Sir Ralph Trudy was joined with him in the guardianfliip of that young beauty, and was at that time in London, he thought it proper to confult him en the occafion \ vvhich heaving done, and finding no objcc'Hon on thq part of the other, lady Mellafin, ta (ikew her great complaifance to the daughter of h^r hufband's de- fOLafcd fjriend, fent her gwn woman to bring her Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. ii frpm' the boarding-fchool, anJ attend her up to London. Mifs Betfy had never feen this great metropolis ; but had heard fo much of the gay manner in which the genteel part of the world paflvd their time in it, that (he was quite tranfported r.t being told flie was to be removed thither. Mrs. Prinks (for fo lady JMellafm's woman was called) did not fail to heigh- ten her ideas of the pleafures of the place to which fhe was going, nor to magnify the goodncfsof her lady, in taking her under her care, with the mc(l extravagant encomiums : it is not, therefore, to be won^lered at, that neither the tears of tie good go- ycrncfs, who truly loved her, nor thofe of her dear Mifs Forward, nor any of thofc (lie left behind, Could give any more than a mimcntary regret to a heart fo pofll-d with the exptclations of going to receive every thing with which youth is liable to be enchanted. She promiftd, howcvtr, to keep up a corrcfpondence by letters, which fhc did, 'till things, that feemed to her of much more impor- tance, put her L e acquaintance entirely out of her head. . She was met at the inn, where the (lage put up, by Mr. Goodman in his own coach, accompanied by Mifs Flora : Th« good old gentleman embraced her with the utmoft tendernefs, and afiured her that nothing in his power, or in that of his family, would be wanting to compenfate as much as po>fii- bJe the lofs file had fullained by the death of her parents. The young lady alfo fetid many obliging things to her, and they feemed highly taken witii each other at this hrft interview, which gave the honeft heart of Goodman an infinite fatisfaction. The reception fadlion, than, as {he fanci- - edi i6 rhe HISTORY of cd, it fhewed the power of her beauty, and piqued thofe ladies of her acquaintance, who could not boaft of fuch an implicit refignation, and patient fuffering from their lovers ; in particular Mifs Flora, who (he could not forbear imagining looked very grave on the occafion. What foundation there was for a conje6lure of this nature was, neverthe- lefs, undifcoverable, 'till a long time after. As this courtfhip was no fecret to any of the fa- mily, Mr. Goodman thought himfelf obliged, both as the guardian of Mifs Betfy, and the friend of alderman Saving, (for fo the father of this young cnamorato was called) to enquire upon what foot- ing it flood. He thought, that if the old man knew and approved of his fon's inclinations, he would have mentioned the affair to him, as they frequently faw each other, and it feemed to him, neither for the intereft, nor reputation of his fair charge, to receive the clandeftine addrefies of any man whatfoever. She had a handfome fortune of her own, and he thought that, and her perfonal ac- complifliments, fufficient to entitle her to as good a match as Mr. Saving ; but then he knew the for- did nature of the alderman, and that all the merits of Mifsi Betfy would add nothing in the balance, if her money was fouwl too light to poize againft the fums his {o\\ would be poffeffed of. This be- ing the cafe, he doubted not but that he was kept in ignorance of the young man's intentions, and fearing the matter might be carried too far, refolved either to put a ftop to it at once, or permit it to go on, on fuch terms as fhould free him from alt cenfure from the one or the other party. On talking ferioufly to the lover, he foon found the fuggeftions he had entertained had not deceiv- ed him. Young Saving frankly confefTed, that his father had other views for him ; but added, that if he could prevail on the young lady to marry him, he Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 17 he did not defpair but that when the thing wa4 once done, and paft recall, the alderman would, hy degrees, receives them into favour. " Ycu know, " ^ir," laid he, *' that he has no child but me,, nor any kindred for whom he has the Icaft re- gard, and it cannot be fuppofed he would ut- terly difcard me for following my inclinations in this point, efpccially as they are in favour of ** the moil amiable and deferving of her fex." He faid much more on this hicad, but it had na weight wiUi the merchant : he anfwered, that if the alderman was of his way of tliinking, all the flattering hopes his paflion fuggefled to him, on that fcorc, might be realized ; but that, according to the difpofition he knew him to be of, he fav^r but little room to think he would forgive a flep of this kind : *' Tlierefore," coninucd he, *' I *' cannot allow tiiis love afta^r to be profccuted *' any farther, and muft defire you will dcfiit vi- *' fitting at my houfe, 'till you have cither cciv- '^ cjuercd this inclination, or Mifs Betfy is other- " wifcdifpofed of." This was a cruel fentence for the truly rifFc«Sli- onate Saving ; but he found it in vain to follicit a repeal of it, and all he cou'd ob.'ain from him, was a promife to fay nothing of what had pafied to the alderman. ^4r. Goodman would have thought he had but half complcattd his duty, had he negleviled to found the inclinations of Mifs Bctfy on this account, and, in order to come more eafily at the truth, he be- gan v/ith talking to her, \v\ a manner which might make her look on him rather as a favourer of Mr. Saving's pretenfions than the contrary', and wrs ex- treamly glad to find, by her replies, how indiffer- ent .that young lover was to her. He tlicn acquaint- -ed her with the refolution he had taken, and the difcourfe he had jufl had with him : and, to keep her i8 ne HISTORY cf her from ever after encouraging thcaddrcfles of any man, without being authorifed by the confent of friends on both fides, reprefented, in the moft pa- thetic terms he was able, the danger to which a private correfpondence renders a young woman lia- ble. She fecmcd convinced of the truth of what he faid, and promifed to follow, in the ftrideft manner, his advice. Whether (lie thought herfelf, in reality, fo much obliged to the condu6b of her guardian in this, I will not take upon me to fay ; for tho' (lie was not charmed with the perfon of Mr. Saving, it is certain (he took an infinite pleafure in the affidui- ties of his paflion : it is therefore highly probable, that fhe might imagine he meddled in this affair more than he had any occafion to have done. She had, however, but little time for reflexion on her guardian's behaviour, an accident happening, which fliewed her own to her in a light very different froiij what (he had ever feen it. Lady Mellafm had a ball at her houfe : — there was a great deal of company, among whom was a gentleman, named Gayland : He was a man of family, had a large eftatc, fung, danced, fpoke French, and dreffed well ; frequent fucceffes a- mong the women had rendered him extremely vain, and as he had too great an admiration for his own perfon to be poffclieJ of any great fhare of it for that of any other, he enjoyed the pleafures of love, without beinp: fcnfible of the pains. This darling of the fair it v/as, that Mifs Betfy picked out, to treat with the moft peculiar marks of efteem, when- ever fhe had a mind to give umbrage to poor Sa- ving : muci] had that faithful lover fuffercd on the account of this fop ; but the fair infliclor of his orments was punifhed for her infenfibility and in- gratitude, by a way her inexperience of the world, and JV/Z^^Betsy Thoughtles?; 19 and the temper of mankind in general, had made her far from apprehending. While the company were employed, fome in dancing, and others in particular converfations, the beau found an opportunity to flip into Mifs Betfy's hand a iittle billet, faying to her, at the fame time, *' You have got my heart, and this little bit of *' paper will convey to you the fentlments it is in- •' fpired with .in your favour." She imagining it was either a fonnet, or epiftle, in praife of her beauty, received it with a fmile, and put it into her pocket. After every body had taken leave, and fhe was retired to her chamber, (he examined it, and found to her great aftonilhment the contents as follow : *' D^ar Mifs, *' T MUST certainly be either the mod ungratc- *' X ful, or mod confumedly dull fellow upon *' earth, not to have returned the advances you *' have been fo kind to make me, had the leaft op- •' portunity offered for my doing fo ; but lady *« Mellafm, her daughter, the fool having, or fome *' impertinent creature or other, has always been " in the way, fo that there was not a polfibility *' of giving you even the leuil earned of love -, but, *' my dear, I have found out a way to pay you *' the whole fum with interefl ; which is this : *.' You muft invent feme excufe for going '' out alone, and let me know by a billet diredieJ *' for me at White's, the cxa(ft hour, and I will ** wait for you at the corner of the ftreet in a " hackney coach,' the window drawn up, and " whirl you to a pretty fnug place I know of, " where we may pafs a delicious hour or two, *' without a foul to interrupt our pleafures. Let *' me find a line from vou to-morrow, if you can " any 2© The HISTORY of ** any way contrive it, being impatient to convince " you how much I am, " My dear creature, " Yours, he. kc, *' J. Gayland." ImpoiTible is it to cxprefs the mingled emotions of fnamc, fiirprize, and indignation, which filled the breail of Mifs Betfy, on reading this bold in- vitation : file threw the letter on the ground, fhe (lamped upon it, flie fpurned it, and v/ould have treated the author in the fame manner, had he been prefent ; but the firft tranfport of fo juil a refcntment being over, a confcioufnefs of having, by a too free behaviour tov/ards him, emboldened him to take this liberty, involved her in the utmoft confufion, and fae v^-as little lefs enraged with her- fclf, than file had reafon to be with him. She could have tore out her very eyes, for having af- fected to look kindly on a wretch, who durft pre- fume fo far on her fuppofed affecSiion, and tho* flie fpared thofe pretty twincklers that violence, flic ha!f drowned their luftre in a deluge of tears. Ne- ver v/as a night pafled in more cruel anxieties than what fhe fudained, both from the afFront (he had received, and rcfl?:ction, that it was chiefly the folly of her own conducf, which had brought it on her ; and what greatly added to her vexation, was the uncertainty how it would befl: become her to a6f, on an occafion which appeared fo extraor- dinary to her. She had no friend whom fhe thought it proper to confult ; ^flic was afhamed to re- late the (lory to any of the difcrect and ferious pact of her acquaintance ; fire feared their reproofs for having counterfeited a tendernefs for a man, which fhe was now fenfible fhe ought, if it had been real, rather to have concealed with the utmoft care, both from him, and all the v/orld : -and as for Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 21 for lady Mellafin and Mifs Flora, though their condu6t infpired her not with any manner of awe, yet (he thought flie faw fomething in thofe hidics, which did not promife much fmcerity, and fhewed as if they woulil rather turn her complaints into ri- dicule, than afford her that cordial and friendly ad- vice flie flood in need of. Thefe were the reafons v;hich determined her to keep the whole thing a fecret from every one. At firft file was tempted to write to Gayland, and tcflify her difdain of his prefumption, in terms which fhould convince him how grof^iy his vanity had impofcd upon him ; but fhc afterwards confi- dercd, that a letter from her was doing him too much honour, and, though never fo reproachful, might draw another from him, either to excufe and beg pardon for the temerity of the former, or pofTibly to aftront her a fecord time, by defending it, and repeating his requefl. SliC dtfpifcd and hst- cd him too much to engage in a correfpcndence with him of any kind, and therefore refolved, as it was certainly mofl prudent, not to let him have any thing under her hand, but, when next (he faw him, to fhew her refcntment by fuch ways as occafion fhould permit. He came not to Air. Goodman's, however, for three days, pofTibly waiting that time for a letter from Alifs Betfy ; but on tiie fourth he appeared *t lady Mcllafrn's tea-table. There were, befides the family, feveral others prefent, fo that he had not an opportunity of fpccking in private to Mifs Bet fy ; but the looks fhe -gave h-m, fo difTcrcnt from all he had ever feen her allume towards him, might have fhewn any man, not blinded wi'h his vanity, how much (he was offended ; but he ima- gining her ill-hum.our proceeded only from the . w^int of means to fend to him, came again the next day, and happening to find her alone in the par- lour, 22 The HISTORY of Jour, ** What, my dear," fald he, taking her in a free manner by the hand, " have you been (o " clofely watched by your guardian and guardia- " ncfles here, that no kind moment offered for *' you to anfwer the devoirs of your humble fer- ** vant?** '* The fureft guardians of my fame *^ and peace,'* replied fhe, fnatching her hand a- way, *' is the little fhare of underftanding I am *' miftrefs of, which, I hope, will always be fuf* *' ficient to defend my honour in more danger- *' ous attacks, than the rude impertinencics of an *' idle coxcomb." Thefe v/ords, and the air with which they were fpoke, one would think, (hould have ftruck with confufion tlie perfon to whom they were dire(S^ed ; but Gayland v/as not fo eafily put out of counte- nance, and looking her full in the face, *' Ah, «« Child !" cried he, " fure you are not in your *' right fenfes to-day : — ^—underftanding, im- ** pertinencies, — ^— idle coxcomb, very pleafant " i'faith ! but upon my foul, if you think thtfe airs " become you, you are the moft miftaken woman *' in the world." *' It may be fo," cried jQie, ready to hvv'A with inward fpite at his infolencc, '' but I fho.-ld be yet more miftaken, if I were *' capable of tiiinking a wretch, like you, worthy " of any thing but contempt." With thefe words fhe flung out of the room, and he purfued her with a horfe-iaugh, till fhe was out of hearing, and then went into the dining-room, where he found lady Mellailn, and feveral who had come to viftt her. Mifs Betfy, who had gone directly to her own chamber, fent to excufe coming down to tea, pre- tending a violent hesd-ach ; nor would be prevail- ed upon to join the company, 'till fhe heard Gay- land had taken his leave, which he did much fooner than J\///i Betsy Thoughtless. 2^ than ufual, being probably a good deal difconccrted at the Ihock his vanity had received. CHAP. IV. Verefjes the old proverb^ that one affliSlion treads upon the heels of another, AS Mifs Betfy was prevented from difcovering to any one, the impudent attempt Gayland had made on her virtue, by thefliame of having em- boldened him to it, by too unreferved a behaviour, fo alfo the fhamc cf the dlfappointment, and rebuff he had received from her, kept him from faying any thing of what had pailcd between them ; and this rcfolution, on botli fides, rendered it very dif- ficult for either of them to carry to the other, To as not to give feme fufpicion. Betfy could not al- ways avoid feeing him, when he ci:me to h6y Mel- lafm's, for he would not all at once dcfift his vifit, for two reafons : firft, becaufc it might give ccca- fion for an enquiry into the caufe ; ard fecordly, becaufc Mifs Betfy would plume hcrfclf on the oc- cafion, as having, by her fcorn, triumphed over his audacity, and drove him from the field of bat- tle. He therefore refolved to continue his vifits for fomc time, and to pique her, as lie imagined, di- r-e£ied all the fine things his common place- book was well flored with, to Mifs Flora, leaving tlie other wholly ncgle(5^c:d. But here he was little Icfs deceived, than he had been before in the fentinients of that young lady : the hatred his late behaviour had given her, and the utter dctellation it had excited in her toward-: him, had, for a time, extinguiflicd that vanity, fo almoft infeparai/ic from youth, efpecially when accompa- nied with beauty j and fhc rather rejoiced, than the contrary, 24 1'he HISTORY of contrary, to fee him afFe6l to be fo much taken up with Mifs Flora, that he could fcarce fay the leali complairant thing to her, as it freed her from the necellity of returning it, in fome meafure. Her good fenfe had now fcope to operate ; — (he faw, as rn a mirror, her own late follies in thofe of Miis Flora, who fwcllcd with all the pride of flattered vanity, on this new imaginary conqueft over the heart of, the accomplifhed Gay land, as he v/as ge- nerally efteemed, and perceived the errors of fuch a way of thinking and a(^ing, in fo clear a light, as had it continued, would, doubtlefs, have fpared her thofe anxieties her relapfe from it afterwards occa- iioned. In thefe ferious refleilions let us leave her, for a time, to fee in what fituatisn Mr. Saving v/as, after being denied accefs to his milirefs. As it was impoflible for a heart to be more truly fincere and afte(51ionate, he was far from being able to make any effoits for the banifhing Mifs Betfy's image thence: on the contrary, he thought of nothing but how to continue a correfpondtnce with her, and endeavour, by all the means in his power, to engage her to a private interview. As his flame was pure and refpe6i:ful, he vvas (ovtiQ days debating withirt hinifclfhow to proceed, fo as not to let her think he had defifled from his pretenficns, or to continue them in a manner at which flie fliould not be of* fended. Love, when real, fc'do.ii fails of infp'r*- ino; 'the breafl: that harbours it with an equal fhare of timidity :-The trembled whenever he thought of folliciting a meeting, yet, without it, how could he hope to retain any place in her memory, much lefs make any progrcfs in gaining her atRdiion ! at Ien2;th, however, he aflum.ed courage enough to write to her, and, by a bribe to one of the fer- vants, got his letter delivered to her, fearirg -if he fcnt it by the poft, or any public way to the houfei Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 25 It v/oiild be Intercepted, by the caution he found Mr. Goodman had refolved to obferve in this point. Mifs Betfy, knowing his hand by the rupeifcrip- tion, was a Jittle furprized, as, perhaps, having ne- ver thought of him Hncc they parted, but opened it without the leaft emotion, cither of pain or plea- fure: — fhe knew him too well to be under any ap- prehenfions of being treated by him as flic had been by Gayland, and was too little fenfible of his me- rits to feel the Icaft impatience for examining the dictates of his affection; yet, indifferent as flic was, fne could not forbear being touched on reading thefe lines: '* Moji adored of your fex^ " T DOUBT not but you are acquainted witfi " JL Mr. Goodman's behaviour to mej but oh ! " I fear, you are too infeafible of the agonies, in " which my foul labours, through his cruel cau- " tion-f-^— Dreadful is the lufs of fight, yet what " is fight to me, when it prefents not you !- • ^' Though I faw you regardicfs of my ardent paf- " fion, yet ftill 1 iaw you, and wliile I did (o^ " could not be wholly wretched. What ha\e " I not indurcd fince deprived of that only joy, *' for which I wifli to live 1-^ Had it not been " improper for me to have been fecn near Mr. *' Goodman's houfe, after having been forbad en- *' trance to if, I fliould have dwelt for ever in " your flreet, in hope of fwmetimcs getting a ** glimpfe of you from one or other of the win- *' dows; this I thought would be taken notice of, " and might offend you : But darknefs freed " me from thefe apprehenfions, and gave me the *' confolation of breathing in the fame air v.'ith you. " — r~Soon as I. thought alt watchful eyes were " -clofcd, I flew to the place, which, where ever '* my body is, contains my heart and all its facul- VoL I. C <* tics. 26 Ihe HISTORY of ** ties. I pleafcd m} felf with looking on the roof " that covers you, and invoked every ftar to pre- *' fent me to you in your fleep, in a form more *' agreeable than I canjiope I ever appeared in to " your waking fancy. Thus have 1 pafTed each ** night, and when the morning dawned, unwill- " ingly retired to take that reft, which nature more " efpecially demands, when heavy melancholy op- '* prefTes the heart. I flept, — but how ? — diftra(5i- *' ing images fwam in my tormented brain, and " waked me with horrors inconceivable. Equally ** loft to bufmefs, as to all focial commerce, I fly •' mankind, and like fome difcontented ghoft feek " out the moft felirary walks, and loncl\^ ftiades, *' to pour forth my complaints. O mifs Bctfy ! I *' cannot live, if longer denied the fight of you ! *' — In pity to my fufferings, permit me yet once " more to fpeak to you, even tho' it be to take a " laft farewell. I have made a little kind of inte- " reft with the woman at the habit-fhop, in Co- *' vent-garden, where I know you fometimes go : '' — I dread to intreat you would call there to- *' morrow, yet if you are fo divinely good, be *' afTured I fhall entertain no prefuming hopes oa *' the condefcenfion you (hall be pleafed to make " me ; but acknowledge it as the meer effed of *' that compaiTion, which is inherent to a generous *' mind. Alas ! I muft be much more worthy '' than I can yet pretend to be, before I dare flat- " ter my felf with owing any thing to a more foft *' emotion, than thofe I have mentioned. Accufe *' me not, therefore, of too much boldnefs in this " petition, but grant to my defpair what you •' would deny to the love of " Your moft faithful, *' And everlafting Have, " H. Saving. " P. S. Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 27 ** P. S. The favour of one line to let me know ** whether I may expert the bleffing I implore, *' will add to the bounty of it. The fame hand *' that brings you this, will alfo deliver your *' commands to yours as above," Mifs Betfy read this letter feveral times, and the oftner fhe did (o^ the more (he faw into the foul of him that fent it. How wide the difference be- tween this, and that fhe had received from Gay- Jand ! 'Tis true, they both defired a meeting, eacii made the fame requeft, but the manner in which the former was afkcd, and tiie end propofed by the grant of it, fiie eafily perceived were as diftant as heaven and hell. She called to mind the great re- rpedt he had always treated her with ; — (he was convinced both of his honour and fincerity, and (bought fomething was due from her on that ac- count. In fine, after deliberating wifhin herfcif, (he refolved to grant his requcff, and accordingly wrote to him in thefe terms ; " Sir. " nr^HO' it is my fixed determination to en- *• X courage the addreflbs of no man whatever, without the approbation of my guardians, yet I " think myfelf too much obliged to the affcdioii you have exprefTcd for me, to refufe you a fa- vour ci" fo trifling a nature, as that you have taken the pains to a/k. I will be at the place '* you mention to morrow, fome time in the Icre- *' noon ; but dcfire you will cxpc£t nothing hem *' it, but a lafl. farewell, as you have prom. fed to '' be contented with. Till then, i?dieu." After finifhing this little billet, (he called the maid, whom Saving had made his confidante, into her chamber, and afked her, when ihe expccver did any thing that *' might call in queftion my integrity, either to *' you or any one t\{e beft natured men in the world, could not keep himfelf from be-, \\Y^ a little ruffled at the alderman's difcourfe, and, told him, that though he had been far from encou- raging Mr. Saving's inclinations, and fhould always think it the duty of a fon to confult his father in every thing he did, efpecially in fo material a point as that cf marriage 5 . yet he faw no rea- fofl M/7i Betsy Thoughtless. 3^ fon for treating Mifs Betfy with contempt, as flic was of a good family, had a vtry prctry fortune of her own, and fuitable acconiplifh- ments. " You take a great deal of pains to fet her off," faid the alderman, " and fince you married a " court-lady not worth a groat, have got all the *' romantic idle notions ot the other end of the " town, as finely as if you had been bred there. ** A good family ! — very pleafant i'faith. Will ** a good family go to market ? Will it buy a *' joii>t of mutton at the butclier's ? Or a prct- " ty gown at the mercer's ? Then, a pretty for- " tune you fay ; enough it may be to fquand- " er away at cards and mafqueradc?, f(^r a month or two. She has fuitable acccmplifliments too ? yes, indeed, they arc fuitable ones, 1 be- lieve : I fuppofe iQie can fing, dance, and jabber a little French ; but I'll be han?:cd if flie knows how to make a pye, or a pudding, or to ** teach her maid to do it." The reflection on lady Mellafin, in the beginning of this fpeech, fo much incenfcd Mr. Goodman, that he could fcarce attend to the latter part of it ; ■■ • he forbore interrupting hini, however, but as foon as he had done fpeaking, replied in terms which fliewed his refentm?nt. In fine, fuch hot words pafi'ed between them, as, had they been )'Ounger men, might have produced woife confe- quences ; — - but the fpiiit of both being equally evaporated in mutual reproaches, they grew m^re calm, and, at laft, talked themfclves into as g; od harmony as ever. Mr. Goodman faid, he was forry that he had been prevailed upon, by theyo»:ng man's entreaties, to keep his court|liip to Mifs Bctfy a fecret ; and the ajderman begged pardon in his turn, for having faid any thing difrefpectful of ladv Mellafin, C < On 34 "^he HISTORY of On this they fhook hands, another half pint of fherry was called for, and before they parted, the alderman acquainted Mr, Goodman, that to pre- vent entirely all future correfpondence between his fon and Mifs Bctfy, he had fent him to Holland fome d^ys ago, without letting him know any thing of his intentions, 'till every thing was ready for his embarkation. " I fent," faid he, *' the *' night before he was to go, his portmanteau, and *' what other luggage I thought he would have *' occafion for, to the inn where the Harwich •' ftage puts up, and* making him be called up very *' early in the morning, told him, he muft go a *' little way out of town with me, upon extraor- *' dinary bufinefs : he Teemed very unwilling, *' fuid he had appointed that morning to meet a •' gei)ileman, and begged 1 would delay the jour*- •* ney to the next day, or even till the afternoon. *' What caufed this backwardnefs, I cannot ima- *' gine, for I think it was impofTible he could •' know mv defigns on this fcore ; but, whatever *' was in his head, I took care to difappoint it : ■ ■ *' I liliened to none of his excufes, nor trufted *' him out of my fight, but forced him to go with " me to the coach, in which I had fccured a cou- " pie of places. He was horridly fhocked when *' he found where he was going, and would fain *' have perfwaded me to repeal his banifliment, as " he called it: I laughed in my flecve, but ** took no notice of the real motive 1 had for fend- '* ing him away, and told him, there was an ab- •' folute neceflity for his departure ; — that I ** had a bufinefs of the greateft importance at •' Rotterdam, in which I could truft nobody but *' himfelf to negotiate, and that he would find, in '* his tiunk, letters and other papers, which would ^* inftrud him how to adt, "In Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 35 " In fine," continued the alderman, *' I went *' with him aboard, fiaid with him till they we»v ** ready to weigh anchor, then returned, and ftood •' on the beach till the (hip failed quite out of *' fight, fo that if my gentleman had a thought *' cf writing to his miftrefs, he had not tlic Itall ^' opportunity for it." He added, that he did not altoget'ier deceive his fon, having, indeed, fomc affairs to tranfad at Rotterdam, thougli they were rot of the mighty confequcncc he had pretended ; but which he had, by a private letter to his agent there, ordered fliould be made appear as intricate and perplexed aspofiihle, that the young gentleman's jcturn might be delayed as long as there was any plaufible excufe for detaining him, without his feeing through the rcafon of it. Mi-, (joodman praifcd the alderman's difcreiion in the whole conduct of this bufincfs, and to atone for having been prevailed upon to keep ycui^g Saving's Jecrctfrom him, cfl:'erid to make inlci- crt with a fiicnd he had at the poft-ofiice, to llop any letter fhould be directed for Mifs Belfy 'I'houghtlcfs, bv the way of Holland ; *' by which ** means," faid he, *' all communication between *' the young people will foon be put an end to ; •* he will grow weary of writing when he receives *' no anfvi'crs, and (be of thinking of him as a •* lover, when (he finds he ceafes to tell her lie is •* fo." The alderman was ready to hug his old friend for this propofal, which, it is certain, he m.ide in the fincerity of his heart, for they no fooner parted, than he went to the office, and fulfilled his promife. When he came home, in order to hinder ?vTii's Betfy from expeding to hear any thing more of Mr. Saving, he told her he had been treated by the al- derman pretty roughly, on account of the encr u-' X32:ement so g *' a hufband, than fhe can have in London, vv'here " her chara6ler would fcarce entitle her to fuch a ** hope. I will however,'* purfued fhe, " run *' the rifque, and choofc rather to have a gueft, " whofe company I do not Co well approve of, " than be deprived of one I fo much value." Mifs Betfy teftified the (ti\(e ihe had of her lady- fliip's goodnefs, in the m-oft grateful and obliging terms, and lady Mellafm, and Mifs Flora coming home foon after, lady Trufly faid, (he was come on purpofe to a(k permifTion for Mifs Flora and Mifs Betfy to pafs two or three months with her, down in L e. Lady MelJafm, as the other had imagined, fcem- ed extremely pleafed with the invitation, and tokl her, fhe did her daughter a great deal of honour, and fhe would take care things fhould be prepared for both the young ladies to attend her, on her fet- ting out. Lady Trufly then told her, fhe had fixed the day for it, which was about a fortnight after this converfatbn, and fome other matters relating CO the journey being regulated, took her leave, highly pleafed with the thoughts of getting Mifs Betfy to a place, where fhe fliould have an oppor- tunity of uftng her utmoft endeavours to improve the good fhe found in her difpofition, and of v/ean- ing her, by degrees, from any ill habits die might have contracted in that Babel of mixed company Ihe was accuflomed to at lady Mellafm's. CHAP. 42 r^^ H I S T O R r cf CHAP. VII. Is a medly of various particulars^ which pave the way for ?na tiers of mere confequence, MISS Flora had now nothing in her head, but the many hearts (he exped'led to capiivate, vvlien fhe (hould arrive in L e ; and lady Mellafin, who Toothed her in all her vanities, re- folved to fpare nothing which ilie imagined would contribute to that purpofe. Mils Bet(y, who had the fame ambition, though for different ends, made it alfo pretty much her ftudy to fet off, to the bcfl advantage, the charms fhe had received from na- ture. The important article of drefs now engruflcd the whole converfation of thefe ladies The day, after that in which lady Trufty had made the invi- tation to the tv/o young ones, lady Mcllafm went "with them. to the mercer's to buy fome filks : fhe pitched on a very genteel new-fafhioned pattern for her daughter ; but chofe one for Mifs Betfy, which, though rich, feemed to her not well fancied ; fhe teftificd her difapprobation, but lady Mellafm faid fo much in the praife of it, and the mercer, either to pleafe her, or becaufe he was defirous of getting it fold, afTured Mifs Betfy that it was admired by e- \q:Y body, that it was the neweft thing he had in his fhop, and had already fold feveral pieces to ladies of the firft quality : all this did not argue Mifs Betfy into a liking of it ; yet between them flie was over- perfuaded to have it. When thefe purchafes were made, they went home, only flopped at the man- tua-maker's in their way, to order her to come that afternoon; lady Mellafin did no more than fet them down, and then went on in the coach to make a vifit. The. Mifs Betsy Thoughtless: 43 The young ladies fell to reviewing their filks ; but Mifs Betfy was no way fatisfied with her's : the more fhe looked upon it, the worie it appeared to her. " I fhali never wear this with any pleafure," faid (he ; "I wifti the man had it in his fliop a- " gain, for I think it quite ugly." Mifs Flora told her, that (lie wondered at her, that the thing was perfectly handfomc, and that my lady's judgment was never before called in queftion. *' That may be,'* replied Mifs Betfy, *' but certainly every one ought " to pleafe their own fancy in the choice of their " cloaths ; for my part I fhill never endure to Wc *' myfelf in it." Not when their fancy happens to *' differ from that of thofe who know better than " themfclves what is fit for them." cried Mifs Flora; " and, befides, have the power over them." Slie fpoke this with {o much pertnefs, that Mifs Betfy, who had a violent fpirit, was highly pro- voked. '^ Power over them !" cried {he, " I do *' not know what you mean, Mifs Flora ; Mr. *' Goodman is one of my guardians indeed, but *' I don't know why that fhould entitle his lady to " direct me in what I (hall wear." . Mr. Goodman, who happened to be looking 'over fomc papers in a little clofet he had within his parlour, hearing part of this dif^ute, and finding it was like to grow pretty warm, came out, in hopes of moderating it. On hearino; Mifs Betfv's com- plaint, he defired to fee the filk ; which being (hewn him. *' 1 do not pretend," faid he, " to much " underftanding in thefc things ; but, methinks, it *' is very handfome." It would do well enougli *' for winter, Sir," replied Mifs Betfy; *' but it " is too hot and heavy for fummer ; befides, it is '^' fo thick and clumfy, it would make me look as *' big again as I am : Fll not wear it, I am refol- . *' ved, in the country, whatever I do when I come " to town in the dark weather." <« Well," 44 "fh^ HISTORY of " Well,'' faid Mr. Goodm.in, " I will Tpealc •* to my lady to get it changed for foiTietiHirg clfc.** '* Indeed, Sir/* cried Mifs Flora, *' lam fure my *' mamma will do no fuch thing, and take ft very " ill to hear it propofed." *« You need not put *« yourfelf in any heat," replied Mifs Bctfy, *' I " don't delire flie fhould be troubled any farther " about it ; but, Sir," continued fhe, turning to Mr. Goodman, '* I tliink I am now at an age ca- •* pable of choofing for my fclf, in the article of " drefs ; and as it has been fettled between you ** and Sir Ralph Trufiry, that out of the income *-* of my fortune, thirty pounds a year fhould be *' allowed for my board, twenty pounds for my •' pocket expences, and fifty for my cloaths, I -*' think I ought to have the two latter entirely at *' my own difpofal, and to lay it out as I think " fit, and not be obliged, like a charity-child, to *' wear whatever livery my benefaflor fl>all be " pleafed to order." She fpoke this with fo much fpleen, that Mr. Goodman was a little nettled at it, and told her, that what his wife had done was out of kindnefs and good will, which fince ftic did not take as was meant, fhe fhould have her money to do with as fhe would. " That is all I defire," anfwered fhe, '' there- *' fore be pleafed to let me have twenty guineas *' now, or, if there does not remain fo much in *' your hands, I will afk Sir Ralph to advance it, " and you may return it to him when you fettle ac- *' counts." *' No, no," cried the merchant ha- ftily, " I fee no reafon to trouble my good friend, *' Sir Ralph, on fuch a frivolous matter. You *' fliall have the fum you mention, Mifs Betfy, *' whether fo much remains out of the hundred *' pounds a year fet apart for you fubfiftance, or *' not, as I can but deduct it out of the next pay- " ment 3 but I would have you manage with dif- " cretion. Ai//} Betsy THouGHTLE'is. 45 *' cretion, for you niny depend, that the furplus 6f *' what was at firft agieed upon, fliall not be broke " into, but laid up to increafc your fortune, which, *' by the time you come of age, I hope, will be *' pretty handfomely improved.'* Mifs Bctfy then afTurcd him, that fhe doubted not of his zeal for her intereft, and hoped Ihe had not offended him in any thing fhe had faid, *' No, " no," replied he. " I always make allowances *' for the little impatiencies of pcrfons of your fex '^ and age, efpecially when drefs is concerned." In fpeaking thcfe words, he opened his bureau, and took out twenty guineas, which he immediately gave her, making her fiifl fign a memorandum of it. Mifs P'Jora was all on fire to have offered fome- thing in oppofition to this, but durfl not do it, and the mantua-maker that inftant coming in, flie went up ftairs with her into her chamber, leaving Mifs Betfy and Mr. Goodman together ; the former of whom, being eager to go about what fhe Intended, ordered a hackney coach to be called, and taking the filk with her, went directly to the fliop where it vvas bought. The mercer at firfl feemed unwilling to tzke it again ; but on her telling him, (he would always make ufe of him, for every tiling fhe wanted in his way, and would then buy two fuits of him, he at lafl confented. As flie was extremely curious in every thing relating to her fhape, flie made choice of a pink coloured French luted ring, to the end, that the plaits lying flat, would flicw the beauty of her waiite to more advantage; and to atone for the flig!unefs of the filk, purchafed as much of it as would flounce the ficeves, and the petticoat from top to bottom : fhe made the mercer alfo cut off a fuf^Icient quantity of a rich green Venetian fattin, . to make her a riding habit ; and as (he came home bought a filver trimming for it of Poiat D'Efpagne ; all 46 Us HISTORY of all which, v/ith the filk {he difliked in exchanges did not amount to the money {lie had received from Mr. Goodman. On her return, {he afked the footman, who o- pened the door, if the mantua-makcr was gone ; but he not being able to inform her, (he ran hallily up {lairs to Mils Flora's chamber, which, indeed, was alfo her own 5 for they lay together : {he was about to bounce in, but found the door was locked, ^nd the key taken out on the infide. This very much furprifed her, efpccially as {he thought {he had heard Mifs Flora's Voice, as {he was at the top of the {lair-cafe ; wanting, therefore, to be fa- tisiied who was with her, {he went as foftly as {he could into lady Mellafin's dreiTing-room, which was parted from the chamber but by a flight wainfcoat : Ihe put her ear clofe to the pannel, in order to dif- cover the voices of them that fpoke, and finding, by fome light that came through a crack or flaw in the boards, her eyes, as v/ell as cars, contributed to a difcovery fhe little cxpe<5led. In fine, {he plainly perceived Mifs Flora, and a man rife off the bed ; {he could not at firft difcern who he was, but, on his turning to go out of the room, knew him to be no other than Gayland. They went out of the chamber together, as gently as they could 5 and tho' Mifs Betfy might, by taking three {leps, have met them in the pafiage, and have had an opportu- nity of revenging herfelf on Mifs Flora for the late airs {he had given herfelf, by {hewing, how near {lie vv^as to the fccne of infamy {he had been ading ; yet the Ihock ihe felt herfelf, on being witnefs of ir, kept lier immoveable for feme time, and {he fuflcred ihcm to depart without the mortification of thinking any one knew of their being together, in the manner they were. This young lady, who though, as I have already taken aotice, was of too vulaiile and gay a difpo^ fiiion, M(/jr Betsy Thouchtles?. '47 fidon, hated any thing that had the Jeaft tin£^ure of indecency, was (o much difconcerted at the difco- very fhe had made, that fhe had not power to ftir from the place fhe was in, much \tU to refolve how to behave in this affair ; that is, whether it would hi beft, or not, to let Mifs Flora know (he was in the fecret of her fhame, or to fufFer her to think herfelf fecure. She was, however, beginning to meditate on this point, when flie heard Mifs Flora come up flairs, calling at every ftep, «' Mifs Betfy !— Mil's *' Betfy! where are you ?" Gayland was gone, and his young miftrcfs being told Mifs Betfy was come home, gueffed it was (he who had given an interruption to their pleafures, by coming to the door ; fhe, therefore, as fhe could not imagine her fo perfc(51:ly convinced, contrived to difguife the whole, and worft of the truth, by revealing a part of it ; and as foon as fhe had found her, " Lord, *' Mifs Betfy!" cried (he, with an unparalell'd afTurance, " where have you been ? — how do you " think I have been ferved by that curfed toad *' Gayland ? he came up into our chamber, where *' the mantua-makcr and I were, and as focn as *' fhe was gone, locked the door, and began to " kifs and touze mefo, that I protcft I was fr'ght- ** ed almofl out of my wits. The devil meant no ** harm though, I believe, for I got rid of him «' eafy enough ; but I wifh you had rapp'.d hear- '' tily at the door, and obliged him to open it, '^ that we both might have rated him for his *' impudence." " Some people h^ve a great deal " of impudence, indeed," replied Mifs i3etfy, a- ftonifhed at her manner of bearing it off. '' Aye, " fo they have, my dear, rejoined the other, with " a carelefs air ; but, prithee, where have you " been rambling by yourfcif ? *' No farther thaji " Bedford- 48 The HISTORY cf •« Bedford-ftreet," anfwered Mifs Betfy : « you ^' may fee on what errand," continued (he, point- ing to thefilks, which (lie had laid down on a chaif. Mifs Flora prefently ran to the bundle, examined what it contained, and cither being in a better hu- mour, or afFe(5ting to be fo, than when they talked on this head in the parlour, teftified no difapproba- tion of what fhe had done ; but, on the contrary, talked to her in fuch foft obliging terms, that Mifs Betfy, who had a great deal of good-nature, when not provoked by any thing that feerned an afFrorVt to herfelf, could not find in her heart to fay any thing to give her confufion. When lady Mellafm came home, and was in- formed how Mifs Betfv had behaved, in relation to the filk, fhe at firft put on an air full of refentment ; but finding the other waiited neither v/it nor fpirit to defend her own caufe, and not caring to break •with her, efpeciaily as her daughter was going with ■her to L — ^e, foon grew more moderate, and, at length, affeded to think no more of it. Certain it is, however, that this affair, filly as it was, and, as one would think, infignificant in itfelf, lay broil- ing in the minds of both motlu^r and daughter, and *they waited only for an opportunity of venting their ■fpite, in fuch a manner, as fhould not make theria appear to have the lead tindture of fo foul and meah a paflion ; but as neither of them were capable 6f a finccre friendfhrp, and had no real regard for any one befide themfelves, their difpleafure was of littfe confeqvjcnce. Preparations for the journey of the young ladiefi, feemed, for the prcfent, to employ all their thoughts, and diligence enough was ufed to get everything ready a/,ainft the time prefixed, which wanted but three days of being expiied, when an unforefecn accident put an cntir-e flop to. it. Adifs Betsy Thoughtless. 49 • Mifs Betfv received a letter from her brother, Mr. Francis Thoughtlefs, accompanied with ano- ther to Mr. Goodman, acquainting them, tliat he had obtained leave from the head of the college, to pafs a month in London ; that he fhould fet out from Oxford in two days, and hoped to enjoy the fatisfadlion of being with them in twelve hours after his letter. What could {he now do ? it would have been a fin, not only againft natural affection, but againft the rules of common good manners, to have left the town, either on the news of his arri- val, or immediately after it ; nor could lady Trufty expert, or defire file fhould entertain a thought of doing fo: (lie was too wife, and to good, not to K, confider the intereft of families very much depended on the fl:ri£l union among tiie branches of it ; and that the natural affeclion between brothers and fiflers, could not be too much cultivated. Far, therefore, from infiftin^on thcpromife Mifs Betfy had made of going with her into the countrv, flie congratulated her on the happy difappointment, and told her, that flie (liould receive her with a double fa- tisfadion, if after Mr. Francis returned to Oxford, fne would come and pafs what then remained of the fummer feafon with her. This, Mifs.Betfy aCured her ladyfliip, fhe would do ; fo that, according to all appearance, the benefits flie might have received, by being under the eye of fo excellent an inftruc- trefs, were but delayed, not lolh CHAP. VIII. Relates hoiv^ by a concurrence of odd clrcun-ijlance^^ Mifs Betfy was brcught pretty near the cri/is of her fate y and the means by which foe efcaped. M R. Francis Thoughtlefs arrived in town the very evening before the day in which Sir Vol. 1. D . Ralph 50 The HISTORY^/ Ralph Trully and his lady were to fct out for L e. They had not fecn this young gentle* man fi nee 'the melancholy occafion of his father's funeral, and would have been glad to have had fome time with him ; but could no way put ofF their journey, as word was fent of the day in which they expeded to be at home : Sir Ralph knew very well, that a great number of his tenants, and friends, would meet him on the road, and a letter would not reach them foon enough to prevent them from being difappointcd : they fupped with him, however, at Mr. Goodman's, who would not per- mit him to have any other home than his houfe, during his ftay in town. Lady Trufty, on taking leave of Mifs Betfy, faid to her, (he hoped fhe would remember her promife when her brother was re* turned to Oxford ; on which {he replied, that (he could not be fo much an enemy to her own happi- nefs as to fail. Mifs Betfy and this brother had been always ex* tremely fond of each other, and the length of time they had been afunder, and the improvement which that time had made in both, heightened their mu^ tual fatistadion in meeting. All that troubled Mifs Betfy now, was, that her brother happened to come to London at a feafon of the year, in which he could not receive the lealt fatisfacStion : the king was gone to Hanover, all the foreign minifters, and great part of the nobility, at- tended him, and the reft were retired to their coun- try feats ; fo that an entire flop was put to all pub- lic diverfions worth feeing. There were no plays, no operas, no masquerades, no balls, no public {hews, except at the little theatre in the Hay-mar- ket, then known by the name of F g's fcan- dal fliop ; becaufe he frequently exhibited there certain drolls, or, more properly, inve61ives againft file miniilry : in doing which it appears extremely probable, A///Jr Be TSY Thought LESS. ^r probable, that he had two views ; the one to get money, which he very much wanted, from fuch as delighted in low humour, and could not diftinguifti truefatire from fcurrility; and the other, in the hope of having fomc poft given him by thofe whom he had abufed, in order to filence his dramatic talent. But it is not my bufmefs to point our cither the me- rit of that gentleman's performances, ^r the motives he had for writing them, as the town is perfedliy acquainted both with his abilities and fucccfs ; and ' has fince feen him, with aftonifhment, Vv'riggle himfclf into favour, by pretending to cajole ihofe he had not the power to intimidate. But though there were none of the diverfions I have mentioned, nor Ranelagh at that time thought of, nor Vauxhall, Mary-lc- bone, nor Cuper's- gar- dens, in the repute they fmce have been, the young gentleman found fufficient to entertain him : empty as the town was, lady Mellafm was net without company, who made frequent parties of picafure, and when nothing elfe was to be found for recre- ation, cards filled up the void. Nothing materia] enough to be inferted in this hi- ftory happened to Mifs Betfy, during the time her brother ftayed, till one evening, as the family were fitting together, fome difcourfe concerning Oxford coming on the tapis, Mr. Francis fpoke fo large- ly in the praife cf the wholefomencfs of the air, the many fine walks and gardens with which the place abounded, and the good company that were continually rcforting to it, that Mifs Betfy cried out, {he longed to fee it, Mifs Flora faid the fame. On this, the young gentleman gave them an In- vitation to go down with him, when he went, fay- ing, they never could go at a better time, as both the afTizes and races were to be in about a month. Mifs Betfy faid, fuch a j^unt would vafily delight D 2 her. 52 The HIST ORY of lier. Mils Flora ecchoed her approbation, and added, ihe wiftied my lady would confent, " I *' have no obje(Slion to make to it," replied lady Mellafin, " as you will have aconduflor, who, I " know, will be very careful of you." Mr. Good^ man's confent was alfo a(ked, for the fake of form, though every one knew the opinion of his wife, was ofitfclf, a fuffident fandlion. Though it is highly probable, that Mifs Bctfy was much better pleafed with this journey, than (he would have been with that to L e, yet file. thought hei felf obliged, both in gratitude and good manners, to v/rite to lady Trufty, and make the beft excufe fhe could for her breach of promife, which fhe did in thefe terms. To Lady Trusty. Mo/i dear and honoured niadam^ c< Tft /r Y brother Frank being extremely defirous '' IVl of ihevvingMifs Flora and myfelf the cu- <« riofities of Oxford, has obtained leave from <' Mr. Goodman, and lady Mellafm, for us to ac- <' company him to that place. I am afraid the «'. feafon will be too far advanced, for us to take a «' journey to L e at our return ; therefore <« flatter myfelf your ladyfhip will pardon the in- *«. dilpenfable neceffity I am under of deferring, . «' till next fpring> the happinefs I propofed in wait- "' ingon you, "All here prefent my worthy guar- e ^geiitlcman commoner took Mifs Betfy 's hand, and led her fome ftens of a minuette, then fell into a rigadoon, then into the louvre, and fo ran through all the fchool-dances, without regularly beginning or ending any one of them, or of the tunes he /ung : the young ftudent was not lefs alert with Mifs Flora ; fo that between fmging, dancing and laughing, they all grew extremely warm. Mifs Betfy ran to a window to take breath, and get a little air ; her partner followed, and taking up her fan, which Jay on a table, employed it with a great deal of dexterity, to affift the wind, that came in at the cafement for her refrefhment. *' Heaven !" cried he, " how divinely lovely do *« you now appear ? the goddefs of the fpring, *« nor Venus's felf, was ever painted half fo beau- *« tiful. What eyes ! — what a mouth! — and what •' a {hape I", continued he, furveying her, as it were, from head to foot, " how exquifitely turn- *« ed ! ce M//} Betsy Thoughtless. c^y ed ! •*— - how taper ! how flender ! 1 *' don't believe you meafure half a yard roiird '' the waift." In fpeaking thefe words, he put his handkerchief about her waift, after which ho lied it round his head, repeating thefe lines of Mr, Waller's : *' That which her flender waift confin'd • " Shall now my joyful temples bind.; *^ No monarch but would give his crown, " His arms might do what this has done.'* «« O fie upon it," faid Mifs Bctfy, laughing, and fnatching it from his head, *' this poctrv is " ftalc, I fhould rather have cxpeacd from an ( )xo- " nian, fome fine thing of his own extempore, " on this occrJion ; which, perhaps, 1 might hnve " been vain enough to have got printed in the *' monthly magazines." " Ah ! madam," replied he, looking on her with dying languifhments, " ^'•'^"'^''^ ^^^ ^^^^"^^ '^ «^ deeply affedted, the brain feldom produces any ** thing'but incongruous iders. Had Sacarifla bccii *' miftrcfs of the charms you are, or had Waller " loved like me, he iiad been hfs capable of writ- " ing in the manner he did." The ftudent perceiving his friend was entering into a particular converfation with Mifs Bctfy, found means to draw Mifs Flora out of the room, and left them together, though tliis young lady af- terwards protcftcd, (he called^to MifsBetfy to fol- Jow ; but if (lie did, it was in fuch a low voice, that the other did not hear her, and continued her pleafantry, rallying the gentleman-commontr, or every thing he laid, till l^e Rnding the opportunity he had of being revenged, fgon turned his humble adoration into an air more free and natural' to him. As fne was opening her mouth to utter fome farc?fm or other, he catched her in his arms, and began to kifs her with fo much warmth and eagcrnefs D 5 tlut 58 The HISTORY of that furprized her ; fhe ftruggled to get loofe, an^ calJed Mifs Flora, not knowing (he was gone, to come to her afliftance. The efforts fhe made at firfl: to oblige him to dcfift, were not, however, quite fo ftrenuous as they ought to have beenjon fuch en occafion ; but finding he was about to proceed to greater liberties than any man before had ever taken v/ith her, fhe colle£^ed all her ftrength, and broke from him, when looking round the room, and feeing no body there, " Blefs me," cried fhe, *' what is the meaning of all this ? — where arc our *"' friends?'' " They are gone," faid he, " to pay the debt, which love, and youth, and beau- ty challenge ; let us not be remifs, nor waOe the precious moments in idle fcruples. Come, my angel ! " purfued he, endeavouring to get her once more into his arms, " make me the hap- ** piefi of mankind, and be as divinely good as you •' are fair." ** 1 do not underfland you, Sir," replied fhe, ** but neither defire, nor will (lay to hear an tx- *' planation." She fpoke this with fomewhatof an haughty air, and was making towards the door ; but he was far from being intimidated, and, inftead of futte ring her to pafs, he feized her a little rough- ly with one hand, and with the other made faft tht2 door y '' Come, com.e, my dear creature," cried he, " no more rcfiftance, you fee you are in my *' power, and the very name of being fo, is fuf- ** £cient to abfolve you to yourfelf, for any aft " of kindnefs you may beftow upon me ; be ge- ** nerous then, and be aflured it fhall be an invio- '« labie iecret." She was about to fay fomething, but he (lopped her mouth with kifTes, and forced her to fit down in a chair, v/herc holding her faft, her ruin had eeitsinly been compleated, if a loud knocking at the Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 59 the door had not prevented him from profecuting his defign. Jl'his was the brother of Mifs Betfy, who having been at her lodgings, on his coming from thence met the footman, who had been fcnt to acquaint the family the ladies would not dine at home : he afked where his filler was, and the fellow having told him, came directly to the place. A waiter of the houfc (hewed him to the room; on finding it locked, he was ftrangcly amazed, and both knocked and called to have i: opened, with a good deal of vehemence. The gentleman-commoner knowing his voice, was (hocked to the lati degree ; but quitted, that in- ilant his intended prcv, and Itt him enter. Mr. Francis, on coming in, knew not what to think ; he faw the gentleman in great difoider, and liis filler in much more. ** What is the meaning of ** this,." fuid he : '* Sifter, how came you lure r" *' AfK me no queflions at prcl'wnt," replied llic, fcarce able to fpeak, io ftrangcly liac her late fright feized on her fpirits, ** but ice mc fafe from this " curfed houfe, and that worff of men." Her fpeaking in this manner, made Mr. Francis appre- hend the whole, and pe rhapb more than the truth. " How, Sir 1 " faid he, dartuig a furious look on the gentleman-commoner, *' witat is it 1 hear.? " have you dared to .?" " Whatever I ** have dared to," interrupted the other, I am c.i- '' pable of defending." *' 'Tis well," rejoined the •' brother of Mifs Betfy, perhaps, I may put you ** to the trial ; but this, is not a time or place." He then took hold of his filler's hand, and led her down ftairs ; as they were going out, Mifs Betly (lopping a little to adjuft her drefs, which was flrangely difordered, (lie bethought herfelf of Mils Flora, who, though (he was very angry with, flie did not chuofe to leave behiiid at the mercy of fuch rakes, 6o e tears at fo unjuft and cruel an innuendo ; but the greatnefs of her fpirit enabled her in a few moments to overcome the fhock it had given her : fhe re- turned reproaches with reproaches, and as fhe had infinitely more of truth and reafon on her fide, had alfo much the better in this combat of tongucF, nc- verthelcfs the other would not give out ; (he up- braided, and exaggerated, with the moft malicious comments on it, every little indifcretjon Mrfs Betfy had been guilty of, repeated every cenfure •which fhe had heard the ill-natured part of the world 64 "The HISTORY cf world pafs upon her condud]-, and added many more, the invention of her own fertile brain. Some ladies they had made acquaintance with in town coming to vifit them, put an end to the de- bate ; but neither being able prefcntly to forget the bitter rcilcdions cad on her by the other, both re- mained extremely fullen the whole night, and their mutual ill humour might poflibly have lafted much longer, but for an accfdent more material, which took off their attention, as it might have produced much worfc confequences than any quarrel between then^ifelvcs could be attended with. It happened in this manner : The brother of Mifs Betfy was of a fiery difpo- fition, and though thofe who were entrufted with the care of his education, were not w^anting in their pains to correct this propcnfity, which they thought would be the more unbecoming in him, 2.S he was intended for the pulpit, yet did not theh: endeavours for that purpofe meet with all the fuc- cefs they wiflied. Nature may be moderated, but never can be wholly changed, the feeds of wrath flill remained in his foul, nor could the rudiments that had been given him be fufiiclent to hinder them from fpringing into adion, when urged by any provocation. The treatment his fifler had re- ceived from the gentleman- commoner, feemed to him fo juftifiable a one, that he thought he ought not, without great fubmiffions on the part of the tranfgreflcjr, be prevailed upon to put it up. The firfl ftep he took was to found the. young fludent, as to what he knew relating to the affair, who freely told him, as Mifs Betfy heifclf had done, where they met the ladies, and the manner- in which fiiey went into the houfe ; protefling, that neither himfcif, nor according to the beft of his be- lief, the gentleman-commoner, had at that time any Af//} Betsy Thoughtless. 6^ any defigns in view, but meer complaifance and gallantry. " How then came you to feparate yourfelvcs ?" cried Mr. Francis, with fome earneftnefs. " That " alfo was accidental," replied the other : " your " filler's companion telling me, {he liked the gar- *' den better than tlie room we were in, I thought " I could do no lefs than attend her thither. I *' cenfcls I did not confult whether thofe we " left behind had any inclination to fellow us or *' not." The air with which he fpoke of this part of the adventure, had fomething in it, which did not give Mr. Francis the moft favourable idea of ivJifs Flora's conduct j but that not much concerning him, and finding nothing wherewith he could jiiWy reproach the ftudent, he foon after quitted him, and went to the gentleman- commoner, having been told he might find him in his rooms* Had any one been witncfs of the manner in which thefe two accofted each other, they would not have been at a lofs to guefs what would en- fue : the brother of Mifs Betfy came with a mind full of rcfentment, and determined to repair the affront had been offered to him in the perfon of a filler, who was very dear to him, by calling the other to a fevere account for what he had done. The gentleman- commoner was defcended of a no- ble family, had an eftate to fupport the dignity of his birth, and was too much puffed up and info- lent on the fmiles of fortune :^ie was confcious the affront he had given demanded fatisfadtion, and neither doubted of the errand on which Mr. Francis was come, nor wondered at it ; but could not bring himfelf to acknowledge he had done a- . mifs, nor think of making any excufe for his be- haviour. Guilt in a proud heart is generally acGompanied 66 The HISTORY of accompanied with a fullen obftinacy; for, as the poet fays, " Forgivencfs to the injur'd does belong : " But they ne'er pardon who have done the " wrong." He, therefore, received the interrogatories Mr. Francis was beginning to make, with an air rather indignant than complying, which the other not be- ing able to brook, fach hot words arofe between tliein, as could not but occafion a challenge, which was given by Mr. Francis. The appointmer>t to meet was the next morning at fix o'clock, and the place, thi't very field in which the gentle- man commoner, and his friend had ^o unluckily happened to meet the ladies in their morning's Wuik. Neither of them wanted courage, nor commu- nicated tiieir rendezvous to any one pejTun, in hope of being difappointed without danger of their honour ; but each being equally animated with the ambition of humbling the arrogance of the other, both were fccret as to the bufiiiefs, and no lefs punc- tual as to the time. The agreement between them was fword and piftol, v/hich both having provided themfelves with, they no fooner came within a proper dlflance, than they diicharged at each cth.er, the firft courfe of this fatal entertainment; that of the gentleman - commoner was (o well aimed, that one of the bul- lets lodged in the fiioulder, and the other graz- ing on the fliftiy part of the arm of his antagonifl", put (lim into a great deal of pain ; but thefe wounds rather increafed than diminiOied the fury he was poffjlled of; he inftantly drew his fword, and ran at thz other with fo well-direcSlcd a force, that his weapon entered three inches deep into the right fide of the genticman-commoner : both of them receiv- ed fcvcral other hurts, yet ftill both continued the %ht Mffs Betsy Thoughtless. 6y fight with equal vehemence, nor would either of them, in all probability, have receded, till one or other of them had lain dead upon the place, if feme countrymen, who by accident were palTing that way, had not with their clubs beat down the fwords of both, and carried the owners of them by meer force in:o the village tjiey were going to, where they were no fooner entered, than Itveral people who knew them, feeing them p^fs by in this manner, covered all over with their ov/n blood, and guaided by a pack of ruftics, ran out ta cnqi:ire wliat had happened, which being informed of, they took them out of the hands of thefe men, and pro- vided proper apartmentb for them. By this time they v/ere both extremely faint through theangu'lh of their wounds, and the great .cfFufion of blood that had ifllicd from them. Sur- geons were immediately fent for, who on examii> ing their hurts, pronounced none of them to be mortal, yet fudi as would require fome time for cure. Mr. Francis fufFered extreme torture in having the bullet extradled from his (houlder, yet notwith- flanding that, and the weak condition he was in, he made a fervant fupoort him in his bed, w^hile he fcrawled out thcfc few lines to his fiH:er ; whrch, as foon as finiflied, were carried to her by the fame pcrfon. To Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. *< My dear fijler^ ** J H A V E endangered my life, and am now " JL confined to my bed, by the v/ounds I hive *' received, in endeavouring to revenge your quar- " rel : do not think I tell you this by way of re- .'* proach j for, I aflure you, would the circum- ** ftance of the affair have permitted it to have been 68 The HISTORY of *« been concealed, you never fhould have known " it. " I {liould be glad to fee you, but think it not " proper chat you (hould cornc to me, 'till I hear *' what is faid concerning this matter. I fhall fend " to you every day ; and that you will be perfedtJy '* eafy, is the earned requeft of, '' Dear Betfy, '' Your mofl afFe6lionatc brother, " And humble fervant, " F. Thoughtless." The young ladies were that morning at breakfaft in the parlour, with tlie gentlewoman of the houfe, when the maid came running in, and told her mi- ftrer3,{hc had heard, in a (hop where flie had been, of a fad accident that had juft happened : " Two gen- " tlemen," cried fhe, " of the univerfity have *' been fighting, and almoft killed one another ; *' and they fay," .continued fhe, " it was about a *' young lady, that one of them attempted to '' ravifh." Mifs Betfy and Mifs Flora, at this intelligence, looked at each other with a good deal of confufion, already beginning to fufpe6"l: v/ho the pcrfons were, and how deeply themfclves, one of them efpecially, was interefted in this misfortune. The gentlewo- man afked her fervant. if fiie knew the names of thofe who fought: ^' No, Madam," anfwered flie, " I could not learn that, as yet j but the people in *^ the Iheet arc all talking of it, and I do not doubt " but I fhall hear the whole flory the next time I *' go out." The good gentlewoman, little imagining how much her gu efts were concerned in what Ihe fpake, could not now forbear lamenting the ungovernable- nefs of youth ; the heedlefs levities of the one fex, and the mad-brained paffions of the other. The perfoiis Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 69 pcrfons to whom flie direfled this difcourfe would not, at another time, have given much ear to i^, or perhaps have replied to. it with raillery ^ but the occafion of it now put both of ihem in too lerious a temper to ofier any interruption, and fhe w^as flill going on, inveighing againft the follies and vices of the age, v/hen Mifs lietfy received the above letter from her brother, which confirmed ali th.ofe alarming conjedures the maid's report had raifed in her mind. The miftrefs of the houfe perceiving the young man, who brought the letter, came upon bufmefs to the ladies, had the good manners to leave the room, that they might talk with the greater free- dom. Mifs Betfy afked a thoufand queftion?, but he was able to inform her of no farther particulars, than what the letter contained. The moment he was gone, (he ran up to her chamber^ threw herfelf upon the bed, and, in a flood of tears, gave a loofe to the mod poignant vexation fhe had ever yet experienced. Mifs Flora fallowed, and feeing her in this condition, thoucyht fhe could do no Icfs in decency, than contribute every thing in her power for her confolation. By the behaviour of this young lady, in other rcfpe'fls, however, the reader will eafily perceive it was more through policy than real good-nature, flic treated her afflicted companion with the ttinder- ncfs fne now did ; (lie knew, that it was not by an open quarrel with Mifs Betfy fhe could wreak any part of the fpite fhe had conceived againft: her, and was therefore glad to lay hold of this opportu- r.ity of being reconciled. *' I v/as afraid, my dear," Lid {lie, '^ that it " would come to this, and that put me into fo " great a pafiion with you yeft-erday, for telling " Mr. Francis any thing of the matter : the men " are fuch creatures, that there is no truftlng them " with 70 The HIST OR Y of *' with any thing ; but come,'' continued flie, kifling her cheek, " don't grieve and torment your- •* felt in this manner, you find there is no danger of " death on either fide, and as for the reft it will aH " blow off in time." Mifs Betfy faid little to this, the fudden paflion of her foul muft have its vent ; but when that was over, fhe began to liften to the voice of comfort, and, by degrees, to refume her natural vivacity, not forefeeing that this unhappy adventure would lay her under mortifications, which to a perfon of her fpirit were very diincult to be borne. CHAP. X. Gives the c^tajlrophe of the Oxford ramble^ and in 'Ouhat manner the young ladies returned to London, IF the wounds Mr. Francis had received had been all the misfortune attending Mifs Betfy in this adventure, it is probable, that as (he every day heard he v/as in a fair way of recovering, the firil guft of paiTion would have been all fhe had fuftain- ed ; but fhe foon found other confequences arifing from it, which were no lefs afSiiling, and more galling to her pride. The quarrel between the two young gentlemen, and the occafion of it, was prefently blazed over the whole town ; it fpread like wild- fire, every one made their feveral comments upon it, and few there were who endeavoured to find any excufcs for theihdre iVlifs Betfy and Mifs Flora had in it. The ladies of Oxford are commonly more than ordinarily circumfpecf in their behaviour, as indeed it behoves them to be, in a place where there are fuch a number of young gentlemen, many of whom ' purfue I MtfsBzTSY Tkouchtliss. 71 purfue plcafure more than ftudy, and fcruple no- thing for the gratification of their defires. It is not, therefore, to be wondered at, that being from their infancy trained up in the mod ftri(5l referve, and accuftomed to be upon their guard, againft even the moft diftant approaches of the other fex, they fhould be apt to pafs the fevcreft cenfurcs on a con- du(ft, which they had been always taught to look " upon as the fure deftru61ion of reputation, and fre- quently fatal to innocence and virtue. This being pretty generally the charatSleriflic of thofe ladies, v/ho were of any difl:in<5iion, in Oxford, MifsBetfy and Mifs Flora immediately found, that while they continued there, they muft either be content to fit at home alone, or convcrfe only with fuch as were as difagreeable to them, as they had now rendered themfelves to thofe of a more un- blcmifhed fame. They had received feveral vifits, all of which they not yet had time or leifure to return j but now going to pay the debt, which complaifance de- manded from them, they were denied acccfs at e* • very place they went to : all the perfons were ei- ther abroad or indifpoftd ; but the manner in which thcfeanfvvcrs were given, eafily convinced Mifs Betfy and M'fs Flora, that they were no more than meer pretences to avoid feeing them. In the public walks, and, in pafling through the ftreets, they faw themfelves fliunned even to a degree of rudenefs : thofe of their acquaintance, who Vv'cre obliged to meet them, looked another way, and went haflily en without vouchfafing a falute. This was the treatment their late unhappy ad- venture drew on them, from thofe of their ovvn fex, nor did thofe of the other fccm to behave to them with greater tendernefs or refpe£t, cfpeciully the younger ftudents, who all ha\ing got the flor}^, . thought they had a 1-ine opportunity of cxerci- 72 The HISTORY of fing their poetic talent ; fatrrc and lampoons flew about like hail : many of thefe anonymous compofitions were directed to Mifs Betfy, and tlirown over the rails into the area of the houfc ■where flie lodged ; others w^ere fung under her win- dows by perfons in difguife, and copies of them handed about through the whole town, to the great propagation of fcandal, and the fneering faculty, ■ Never, certainly, did pride and vanity meet with a' more fevere humiliation, than what thefe witi- cifms inPiiifled on thofe, who by their inconfiderate behaviour had laid themfelves open to them. Nei- ther the alTurance of Mifs Flora, nor the great fpi- rit of Mifs Betfy, could enable them to ftand the fhock of thofe continual affronts, which every day pVefented them with. They dreaded to expofe themfelves to frefh infults, if they flirred out of the doors, and at home they were perfecuted with the unv/earicd remonftrances of their grave landlady, fo that their condition was truly pitiable. Both of them were equally impatient to get out of a place where they found their company was held in fo little cflimation ; but Mifs Betfy thought her brother would not take it Well, fhould ihe go to London, and leave him in the condition he then was. Mifs Flora's importunities, however, joined to the new occafions fhe every day had for incrca- fmg her difcontent on Itaying, got the better of her apprehenfions, and fhe v/rote to her brother in the following terms : To Mr. Francis Thoughtless^ *' D ear hr other y cc r-|-^ HOUGH I am not to my great afflic- " JL tion permitted to fee you, or ofFer that *' affiftance might be expc6tcd from a fificr in ♦• your prcfcnt fituation ; yet I caijnot, without '^ the A///} Betsy Thought LE.'^^s. 73 ** the extremeft regret, refolvc to quit Oxford, be- *' fore you are perfe6tly recovered of thofc hurts you have received upon my account. However, ashy your judging it improper for mc to come *' to you, I cannot fuppofe you arc wholly unac- " quainted with the fevere ufage la^ely given me, " and muft look on every affront offered to mc as " an indignity to you, I am apt to flatter myfelf *' you will not be offended, that I v/i(h to remove " from a place, where innocence is no defence a- " gainft fcandal, and thefhew of virtue moro ccn- *' fidered than the reality. " Neverthelefs, I (ball determine nothing, till '' I hear your fentiments, wjiich, if I find con- •' formable to mine, (ball fct out for London *' with all poffiblc expedition. I would very fain *' fee you before 1 go, and, if you confent, vviil *' come to you fo muffled up, as not to be *' known, by any who may happen to meet me. '' I (hall expert your anfwer with the utmoil im- " patience, being, '^ My dear brother, "By friendfhip as well as blood, " Moft affectionately yours, *' E. Thoughtless.^* When this letter was difpatched, Mifs Flora made ufe of all the arguments fhe was Miftrefs of, in or- der to perfuade Mifs Beify to go for London, even in cafe her brother (hould not be altogether fo wil- ling for it, as (he wiflied he would. Mifs Betfy, though no lefs eager than herfelf to be out of a place fhe nowfo much detefted, would not be prevailed upon to promife any thing on this fcore ; but per- fifted in her refolution of being wholly directed how to proceed, by the anfwer (lie fliould receive from Mr. Francis. ' Vol. I. E Mifs 74 ne HIST ORY of- Mifs Flora was fo fretted at this perverienefs', as flic called it, that (he told her, in a very great pet, that flic might flay if flie plcafcd, and be the laugh* ing-ftock of the town ; but, for her own part, ihe had more fpirit, and would be gone the next day* Mifs Betfy cooly replied, that if fhe thought pro- per to do fo, fhe was doubtlcfs at liberty ; but be- lieved Mr. Goodman, and even lady Mellafm her- felf, would look on fuch abehavionr, as neither con- fident with generofity, or common good manners. It is indeed fcarce probable, that the other had the Icafl: intention to do as fhe had faid, though fhe fiill continued to threaten it, in the mofl pofitive and peremptory terms ; and this, if we confider the temper of both thefe young ladies, we may reafonably fuppofe, might have occafioncd a fecond quarrel bctv/een them, if the fcrvant, whom Mr. Francis always fent to his filler, had not that in- flant come in, and put an end to the difpute, by de- livering a letter to Mifs Betfy, which fhe haflily €>pening, found it contained thefe lines : To Mifs Thoughtless. •" My dear fijler^ *' Y T is with an inexprefTible fatisfa(flion that I *' Jl find your own inclinations have anticipated *' the requeft I was jufl about to make you. I do *' afTure you, the moment I received your letter, I " was goi{)g to v/rite, in order to perfuade you to '' do the very thing you fcem lo defire. Oxford *' is indeed a very cenforious place ; I have al- *' ways obferved it to be fo, and have frequently " told the ladies, between jeil and earnefl:, that I " thought it Vv^as a town of the moft fcandal, and " leaft fm, of any in the world. I am pretty con- *« fident fome of ihofe, who pretend to give them- - " felves aiis concerning you aad Mifs Flora, arc as ** perfedlly Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 75 '' perfectly convinced of your innocence as I mv- " felf am ; yet after all that has happened, I vvoulj " not have you think of flaying 5 and the fooner " you depart the better : you need be under no *' apprelienfions on account of my wounds i thof: " 1 received from the fword of my antagonirt arc '* in a manner healed, and that with the pidcl {]:ior, " in my fi:ioul 'cr, is in as fine a way as can be ex- ** peeled, in fo ihort a time. Tbofe I had th« " fortune to give him, are in yet a better condition ; " fo that I believe, if it was not for the over cau- '* tion of our furgeon, we might both quit our *' rooms to-morrow. I hear that our grave fup^- '' riors have had fonie confultations on our due), '* and that there is a talk of our being both expcl- *' led 5 but, for my part,I (liall certainly fave ilicni " the trouble, and quit the univcrfity of my own '* accord, as foon as my recovery is complcatcd : " my genius is b/ no means adapted to the iludv *' of divinity'; I think the care of my own foid " more than fufficient for me, withoat taking up* " on me the charge of a whole pariili : you may, " therefore, exptct to fee me fliortly at London, "as it is highly neceflary I fhould confult Mr. " Goodman concerning my future fettlcment in *' the woild. I ftiould be extremely glad of a vifit *' from you before you leave Oxford, more efpe- " cially as f have fomething of moment to fay to " you, which I do not choofe to communicate by " letter i but cannot think it at all proper, for '* particular reafons, that you (hould come to me, " fomeor other of the gentlemen being perpetually '^ dropping into my chamber ; and it is impofliblc " for you to difguife yourfelf fo as not to be dl- *' ftinguifhed by young fellows, whofe curicjjity " would be the more excited, by your endeavours •' to conceal yourfelf. As this might revive the '*' difcourfe of an affair, which I could wifli mi^ht E 2 *''b« 76 rbe HISTORY of " be buried in an eternal oblivion, muft defire you " will defer the fatisfacSlion you propofe to give ^' me, till we meet at London, to which 1 wifh '^ you, and your fair companion, a fafe and piea- " fant journey. lam, *' With the greateft tendernefs, " My dear fiftcr, *' Your affectionate brother, " F. Thoughtless.** The receipt of this letter gave an infinity of con- tentment to Mifs Betfy ; Ihe had made the offer of going to take her leave of him, chiefly with the view of keeping him from fufpediing (he wanted natural affection, and was no iefs pleafed with his rcfufing the requeft: fhe made him on that account, than fhe was with his fo readily agreeing to her re- turning to London. Mifs Flora was equally de- lighted J tliey ftnt their footman that inftant to take places \n the flage-coach, and early the next morning fet out from a place, which, on their en- tering into. it, they did not imagine they (liould quit, either fo foon, or with fo little regret. CHAP. XL Lays a foundation for many events to he produced b^ ilme^ and waited for with patience, J S S Betfy, and Mifs Flora, on their com- ing home, were in fome perplexity how to relate the (lory of their Oxford adventure to lady Mcllafin and Mr. Goodman i and it is very likely they would have thought proper to have kept it a fecret, if the unlucky duel between Mr. Francis, and the gentleman-commoner, which they were fenfiblc Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. yy cnfible would be a known thing, had not rendered the concealment of the whole utterly impra6iicable. As there was no remedy, Mifs Flora took upon her to lay open the matter to her Mamma ; which {he did with lo muc1i artifice, that if that lady had been as r.ufterc, as fhc was really the reveife, fhe could nor. have found much to condemn, either in tha conduct of her daughter, or Mifs Betfy : as to A4r. Goodman, he left the whole management of the young ladies, in thcfe particulars, entirely to liis wife, io faid little to theifi en their fhare of the adventure ; but was extremely concerned for the part Mr. Francis had in it, as he fuppofed it was chiefly owing to that unlucky incident, that he had taken a refolution to leave the college ; and he very well knev/, that a certain nobleman, who was a diftant relation of his family, and godfather to Mr. Francis, had always promifed to beftov/ a large be- nefice, in his gift, upon him, ac- foon as he fhould have com pleated his fhidics. . Tills honefl: guardian thought he fliould be v/ant- ing in the duty of the truft rcpofc'l in him, to fufl-er his charge to throw away that fine profpcc^ in his view, if by any means he could prevent him fron;! taking fo rafli and inconfidcrate a flep : and as to his being expelled, he doubted not, but, between him and Sir Ralph, intercfi- might be made to the heads of the univerfuy, to get the affair of the duel pafTed over. The grcateft difficulty he had to apprehend, in compaffing this point, was from the young gentleman himfelf, who he had oh- ferved was of a temper fomewhat obflinatc, and tenacious of his own opinion : refolving, however, i6 try all means poflible, he wrote immediately to him, reprefenting to him, in the ffrongeft and mofl pathetic terms he was maftcr of, the vaft advanta- ges the clergy enjoyed, the refpecb they had from all degrees of people, and endeavoured to convince E 3 ' him. 7S The HISTORY of him, that there was no avocation whatever, by which a younger brother might fo eafily advance hiis fortune, and do honour to his family. He alfo fent a letter to Sir Ralph Trufly, ac- quainting him with the whole ftory, and earneftly lequefiing, that he would write to Mr. Francis, and omit nothing that might engage him to defift from doing a thing fo contrary to his intereft, and the intentions of his deceafed father, as what he rov/ had thoughts of doing was manifeftly fo. Thefe efforts, by both the guardians were often repeated ; but without the lealt fuccefs : the young gentle- man found arguments to oppofe againft theirs, which neither of them could deny to h.ave weight, particularly that of his having no call to take upon iiim holy orders. During thefe debates, in which Mifs Betfy gave herftlf no manner of -concern, fhe received a letter from her brother, containing thefe .lines : To Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. '' Aly dearfi/ier^ c r-1^ HOUGH I flatter myfclf all my letters ' A afford you fome fort of fatisfadlion, yet by * what little judgment I have been able to form of ' the temper of your fex, have reafon to believe, « this I now fend will meet a double portion of *■ welcome from you. It brings a confirmation of < your beauty's power ; the intelligence of a new < conqueft j the offer of a heart, which, if you « will truft a brother's recommendation, is well * deferving your acceptance : but, that I may not « feem to fpeak in riddles, you may remember, « that the firft time I had the pleafurc of entertain- * Ing you at my rooms, a gentleman called True- * worth, was with us, and that the next day, when « you ^\\\^^ with that perfon, who afterwards < treated you v/ith fuch unbecoming liberties, he * made 7Kf//i Betsy Thoughtless. 79 ' made one of the company; fincc then you cou'd * not fee him, as he was obliged to go to his feat, ' which is about thirty miles ofF, on an extraordi- ' nary occafion, and returned not till the day after ^ you left this town. He feemed more than ordi- ' narily aficdcd, on my telling him what had hap- ' perked, on your account, and after paufmg a lit- * tie,. ' How unhappy was I,* faid be, ' to be ab- *' fent ! had I been here, there would have been no *' need for the brother of Mifs Betfy to have cx- '* pofed his life to the fword of an injurious anU- *« gonift, or his chara£^er to the cenfure of the " univerfity. I would have taken upon myfclf to *' have revenged the quarrel of that amiable lady^ ** and either have feverely chaftifed the infolcnce •' of the aggreflbr, or lolt the bcft part of my " blood in the attempt.* I was very much fur- * prized fat thefe words, as well as at the emphafis * with which they were delivered ; but recovering * myfclf as foon as I could, ' We arc extremely '* obliged to you, Sir,' fiid I, * but I know not «« if fuch a miftaken generofity, might not have *' been fatal to the reputation of us both. What ^^ would the world have faid of me to have been •* tamely pafTive, and fuffcr another to revenge ** the affront offered to my fiffer ? What would ** they have thought of her, on finding her honour *' vindicated by one who had no concern in it ?* ' No concern !' cried he with the utmoft eagernefs ; *' yes, I have a concern, more deep, moreftrong, '^ than that of father, brother, or all the ties of *' blood could give ; and that you had before now *' have been convinced of, had I not been fo fud- *'. denly and fo unfortunately called hence/ ' Perceiving I looked very much confounded, a« * well I might, ' Ah ! Frank,' cried he, * I love •' your charming fifter : my friends have, for thefe ** fix months paft, been teizing me to think of E 4 ** marriage, So The HIST ORY of ** marriage, and fcveral propofals have been made *' to me on that fcore ; but never, 'till I faw the •' amiable Mifs Betfy, did I behold the face for '* whom I would exchange my liberty : in fine, *' 'tis file, and only fhe, can make me blefl ; and " I returned to Oxford full of the hopes of an op- *' portunity to lay my heart, my pcrfon, and my •* fortune at her feet.' ' It would require a volume inflead of a letter, * to repeat half the tender and paffionate exprcf- * fions he uttered in your favour. What I have * already faid is enough to give you a fpecimen of * the refl. I fhall only add, that being impa- ' tient to begin the attack he is determined to make ' upon your heart, he is preparing to follow you * to London with all poflible expedition. I once * had thoughts of accompanying him, but have * fince thought it proper to have Sir Ralph Trufly's * advice in fomething I have a mind to do, and for * that purpofe fhall take a journey into L e, * as foon as I receive remittances from Mr. Good- * man, to pay off fome trifling debts f have con- * trailed here, and defray my travelling expences -, * fo that, if things happen as I wifh they may, my * friend's paflion will have made a confiderable pro- * grefs before I fee you. ' Indeed, my dear fifler, if you have not already. * fecn a man whofe perfon you like better, you caix ' never have an offer that promifcs more felicity: ' he left the college foon after I came into it, be.r '• loved and refpe(Sted by all that knew him, for his. * difcreetbehaviour,humanity,and affability: he went ' afterwards on his travels, and brought home with. * him all the accomplifliments of the fcveral countries * he had been in, without beih • the leaff tainted with * the vices or fopperies of any of them : he has a much ' larger ellate than your fortune could cxpe6l, un- * incumbered with debts, mortgages, or poor re- lations : il///} Betsy Thoughtless. Si * lations : his family is ancient, and, by the mo- ' thcr's fide, honourable ; but, above all, he has ' fenfc, honour, and good-nature,— rare qua- * litics ! which, in my opinion, cannot fail of ' making him an excellent hufband, whenever he * comes to be fuch. ' But I fliall leave him to plead his own caufe, ' and you to follow your inclinations. I am, ' With the molt unfei2;ned good wifhes, ' My dear fiftcr, * Your afFedionate brother, ' And humble fervant, ' F. Thoughtless. ' P. S. Mr. Trueworth knows noi'.iing of my writ- * ing to you in his behalf, i'o you arc at liberty * to receive him as you fliall thi:ik proper.' Mifs Bctfy required no lefi a cordial than this, to revive her fpirits, pretty much deprefied fmcc her ill ufage at Oxford. She had Jiot time, however, to indulqe the plea- fure of rcfle(rting on this new triumph^ on her firft receiving the news of it. Lady Mcilafin had fct that evening apart to m?.ke a grand vifit to a pcrfoii of her acquaintance, who was juft married ; the young ladies were to accompany her, and Mifj Betfy was in the midft of the hurry of drefling, when the port brought the letter, fo (he only look- ed it carelefslv over, and locked it in her cabinet till {he fiiould have more Icifure for the examina- tion. They were all ready, the coach witli the beft hammock-cloth and harnciTes was at the door, and only waited while Mrs. Prinks was drawing on lier lady's gloves, which happened to be a little too {trait. In this unlucky indanf one of the footmen cnrre running into the parlour, and told lady Mi-ilafin, E 5 tha: Si Ihg H I STO R Y o/- that there was a very ill-looking woman at thfe door, who cnquirccl for her ladydiip, faitl fhe muft needs fpeak with her, and that fhe had a letter to deliver, whicli flie would give into nobody's hand but her ov/n. Lady Mcliafin Teemed a little angry at the infolence and folly of the creature, as fhe then termed it^; but ordered llie (hould be (hewed into the back parlour ; they were not above five minutes together, before the woman went away, and lady Mellafin returned to the room whero Mifs Betfy and Mifs Flora were waiting for her. A confufion not to be defcribed fat on every feature in her face, fhe looked pale, (he trembled, and having told the young ladies fomething had liap- pened, which prevented her going where die in- tended, flew up into her drefling-room, followed by Mrs. Prinks, who appeared very much alarmed at feeing her ladyfliip in this diforder. Mils Betfy and Mifs Flora were alfo furprifed, and doubtlefs had their own conjedlures upon this fudden turn. 'Tis not likely, however, that cither ■of them, efijccially Mifs Betfy, could hit upon the right ; but whatever their thoughts were, they communicated them, not to each other, and feemed only intent on confidering in what manner they Ihould difpofe of themfelves that evening, it not being proper they (hould make the vijit above mentioned without her ladyfhip. As they were dif- t:ourfing on this head, Mrs. Prinks came down, and having ordered the coach to put up, and fent a footman to call a hack, ran up flairs again, in a great hurry, to her lady. In lefs time than could almoft be imagined they both came down; lady Mellafin had pulled oft' her rich apparel, and mobbed herfelf up in a cloak and hood, that little of her face, and nothing of her air, coirid be -difiinguifhed : the too young ladies ftar- cd, and were confounded at tliis nietamorphofis. ''' U ilf//} "Betsy Thoughtless. 8^ ^ Is your ladyfhip going out in that drcs," cried Mifs Flora J but Mifs Betfy faid nothing " Aye, •' child," replied the lady, fomewhat faultcring in her fpeech, " a poor relation, who they fay is *' dying, has fent to beg to fee me.'* She faid no more, the hackney-coach was come, her la- dyfhip and Mrs. Prinks ftepped haftily into it; tlie latter, in doing (o, telling the coachjnan, in fo low a voice, as no body but himfelf could hear, to what place he was to drive. After they were gone, Mifs Flora prcpofed walking in the pirk ; but Mifs Betfy did not hap- pen to be in a humour to go, either there or .any where elfc, at that time, on which tlie other told her, fhe had got the iplecn ; but faid flie, " I am *' refolved not to be infe«5icd with it, To you muft ** net take it '!1 it" I leave you alone Ir r a few '' hours ; for I fnould think it a fin againfl: com- *' mon-fcnfe, to fit moping at home witlwut fliev/- *' ing myfclf to any one foul in the world, after *' having; taken all this pains in drefHng.'* Mifs Betfy afiured her, as (he might do with a great deal of fincerity, that flie fnould not be at all dif- pleafed to be entirely free from any company whatfoever for the whole evening ; and to prove the truth of v/hat file faid, gave orders that inflant lo be denied to whoever fliould come to vifit her. *' Well," cried Mifs Flora, laughing, *' I (hall *' give your compliments, however, where I am *' going," and then mentioned the names of fomc perfons fhe had juft then taken into her head to vifit. '' As 3^ou pleafe for that," replied Miii Betfy, with the fame gay air ; " but don't tell *' them it is becaufe I am eaten up with the va- " pours, that I chofe to ilay at home rather than *' carry my compliments in perfon ; for if ever I continued fhe, *' that you are fa * mifcjiievous, 84 The HISTORY of *' mirchiLvous, I fhall contrive fome way or other " to be revenged on you." They talked to each other in this pleafant man- ner, 'till a chair Mifs Flora had fent for vi^as brought into the hall, in which fhe feated herfelf for her intended ramble, and Mifs Betfy went into her chamber, where how fhe was amufed will pre- fently be fhewn. CHAP. XIL Is little more than a continuance of the former. MISS Betfy had no fooner difengaged herfelf from the incumbrance of a formal drefs, and put on one more light and eafy, al frefco, as the Spaniards phrafe it, than Ihe began to give her brother's letter a more ferious and attentive perufal, than Tne had the opportunity of doing before. She was charmed and ellated with the dcfcription Mr. Francis had told her, fhe had infpired in the brcaft of his friend \ fhe called to her mind the idea of thofe perfons who were prefent at the entertain- ments he mentioned, and eafily recollecSled which was moil: likely to be the lover, though fhe remem- bered not the name : fhe very well now remem- bered there v/as one that feemed both times to re- gard her with glances, v^hich had fomewhat pe- culiar in them, and which then flie had interpret- ed as the certain indications of feeling fomething in his heart of the nature her brother had de?- fcribed ; but not feeing him afterwards, nor hear- ing any mention made of him, at lead that fhe took notice of, the imagination went out of her head. This account of him, however, brought to her memory every thing fhe had obfervcd concern- ing JW/yGrBETSv Thoughtless. 85 ing bim, and was very well convinced fhe had feen nothing, either in his pcrfon or deportment, that was not perfectly agreeable j yet notwithstand- ing all this, and the high encomiums given of him by a brother, who flie knew would not deceive ber, {he was a little vexed to find herfelf prcllcd by one (o dear, and fo nearly related to her, to think of him as a man (he ever intended to marry : (he thought (he could be pleafcd to have fuch a lover, but could not bring herfelf to be content that he ever (hould be a hull)and. She had too much good fenfe not to know it fuitcd not with the condition of a wife to indulge herfelf in the gaieties flie at prefent did, which though innocent, and, as fhc thought, becoming enough in the prefent f^ate file now was, might not be altogether pleafmg to one, who, if he fo thought proper, had the power of reflraining them. Jn fine, (he looked upon a fe- rious behaviour as unfuitable to one of her years, and therefore refolved not to enter into a condi- tion, which demanded fome fhare of it, at Icaft for a long time j that is, when (he fliould be grown weary of the admiration, flatteries, and ad- drefTes of the men, and no longer found any plca- fure in feeing herfelf preferred before all the women of her acquaintance. Though It is certain, that few young handfome ladi.s are without fome (hare of the vanity here defcribed, yet it is to be hoped, there are not many who are polUfTed of it in that immoderate degree Mifs Betfy was. It is, however, for the fake of thofe who are fo, that thefe pages are wrote, to the end they may ufe their utmoft endeavours to corre6l that error, as they will find it (o fatal to the happinefs of one, who had fcarce any 0- ther blameable propenfity in her whole com por- tion . This S6 The HISTORY cf This young lady was full of meditations oh her new conqueft, and the manner in which fhe fh^uld receive the vi6lim, who was (o fhortly to proHrate himfclf at the {hrine of her beauty, when (he heard fome body run hailily up flairs, and go into lady Mellafin's dreffing-room, which being, as has been already taken notice of, on a very remarka- ble occaiion, fhc ftepped out of the chamber to fee who was there, and found Mrs. Prinks very buiy at a cabinet, where her lady's jewels were always kept : " So, Mrs. Prinks," faid fhe, is my lady '« come home ?" " No Mifs," replied the other, " her ladyfliip is certainly the moft compaffionate " beft 4,1'oman in the world ; her coufin is very " bad indeed, and (he has fent me for a bottle '' of reviving drops, which I am going back to *' carry." With ihefe words fhe fhuffled fome- thing into her pocket, and having locked the cabi- net ag.iin, v/ent out of the room, faying, " Your < fervant, Mifs Betfy, I cannot flay, for life's at «* flake." This put Mifs Betfy in the greatcfl confternati- on imaginable; fhe knew lady Mellafin could have no drops in that cabinet, unlefs they were contained in a phial of no larger circumference than a thimble, the drawers of it being very fhallow, and made on- ly to hold rings, croccats, necklaces, and fuch o- ther ftat trinkets : fhe thought there was fomethlng very odd and extraordinary in the whole affair. A flrange woman coming in (o abrupt a manner, — — her refiifing to give the letter to any one but lady Mcllafm herfelf,— ~her ladyfhip's confufion at the receipt of it, her difguifing herfelf, and going out v/ith Prinks in that violent hurry, the latter being fent. home, her taking fomething out of the cafket, and her going back again ; all thefe incidents, I fay, when put together, denoted fomething A-/?/} Betsy Thoughtless. 87 fomething of a myftcry not eafily penetrated into. Mifs Betfy, however, was not of a dlfpofition to think too much, or too deeply, on thofe things, which the moft nearly concerned herfelf, much lefs on fuch as' related entirely to other people; and Mifs Flora coming home foon after, and relat- ing what converfation had pafTed in the vilits llie had been making, and the drefies the feveral ladies had on, and fuch other trifling matters, di- verted the other from thofe ferious reflections, wliich might otherwife, perhaps, have lafted fome- what longer. VVhen^Mifs Flora was undrefled, they went down together into the parlour, where they found IVIr. Goodman extremely uneafy, that lady Mellafin was not come home: he had been told in what manner flie went out, and it now being grown dark, he was frighted leaft any ill accident (hould befall her, as flie had no man fervant, nor any one with her but her woman, whom, he faid, he could not lock on as a fufllicient guard for a lady of quali- ty, againfl: thofe infults, which night, and the liber- tinifmof the age, frequently produced. This tender hufband afked the young ladies a thoufand qucflions, concerning the poflibilit)' of guefllng to whom, and to what part of the town fhe was gone, in order that he might go hirftfelf, or fend a fervant, to condu6l her fafcjy home ; but neither of them were able to inform himany tliingfar- ther, thanwhat has been already related; that {he had been fent for to a fick relation, who, as it appeared to them, had been very prefling to engage her lady- ship to that charitable office. Mr. Goodman then began to endeavour to re- colledl the names and places of abode, of all thcfe he had ever heard her fay were of her kindred, for (he had never fuffcred any of them to come to the houfc/ S8 Ihe HISTORY of houfe, under pretence that Tome of them had not behaved well, and that others being fallen to decay, and poor, might expe(St favours from her, and that fhe would fuffcr no body belonging to her to be bur- thenfome lo him. He u'as, notwithftanding, about to fend his men in fearch of his beloved lady, though he knew not where to dircd them to go, when flic and Mrs. Prinks came home : he received her with all the tranfports a man of his years could be capable of, but gently chid her for the little care (lie had taken of herfelf, and looking on her, as Mrs. Prinks was pulling off her hood, '* Blefs me, my dear," faid lie, '* what was your fancy for going out in fuch " a drefs ?" *' My couftn," replied Ihe, is in ve- '* ry wretched circumflances, lives in a little mean '* lodging, and, behdes, owes money ; if I had " gone any tiling like myfelf, the people of the *' houfe might have expected great things from *' me. I am very compailionate, indeed, to e- *^ very one under misfortunes, but will ne- '' ver fquander Mr. Gool; jian's money for ihtii* C( elief." " 1 know thou* art all good nefs," faid the old gentleman, kiiiing her with the utmoft tendernefs ; " but fomething," continued he, " mcthinks, " might be fparcd" " Leave it to me, Mr. *' Goodman," anfwered flie, " I know beft, — — ■ *' they have not deferved it from me :" She then told a long ftory, how kind fhe had been to this coiifin, and fume others of her kindred in her firft hufband's time, and gave fomc inftances of the ill ufe they had made of her bounties. All file faid had fo much the appearance of truth, that even Mifs Betfy, who was far from having an high opinion of her fmcerity, believed it, and thought no farther of v/hat had pafTed j fhe bad indeed, in ^ ihort M^fs Betsy Thoughtless. S9 fhort time, fufHcient bufinefs of her own to take up all her mind. Mr. Goodman, the very next day, brought home a very agreeable ycung gentleman to dine with him, who, though he paid an extraordinary refpec^l: to lady Mellafin, and treated h.er daughter with the utmoft complaifance, yet in the compli- ments he made to Mifs Belfy, there was fomcthing which feemcd to tell her fhc had infpir^d him with a pafTion more tender than bare rcfpcifi, and more fmcere than common complaifance. She had very penetrating eyes this way, and ne- ver made a conqueil: without knowing ihe did fo ; fhe was not, therefore, wanting in all thofe little artifices (he had but too much made her fludy, in order to fix the impreflion (he had given tl.is flranger as indcliable as pofTible : this (he had a very good opportunity for doing ; he flayed the whole afternoon, drank tea witli the ladies, vs,d left th^m not, 'till a crov/d (>f company coming in, he thought good manners obliged him to retire. Mifs Betfy was filLa with the mofl: impatient curiofity to know the name and character of this perfon, whom fnc had already fet down in her mind as a new adorer : fhe afked Mifs Flora when they were going to bed, as if it were a matter of indifference to her, and meerly for the fake of chat, who that gentleman was who had dined with them, and made fo long a vifit ; but that young lady had never feen him before, and was as ignorant of every thing concerning him, as herfelf. Mifs Betfy, however, lofl no part of her repofc that night, on this account, as fhe doubted not but fhe fhould very foon be informed by himfelf of all flie wifhed to know : fhe was but juft out of bed the next morning, when a maid-fervant came in- to the chamber, and delivered a letter to her, which go Thi HISTORY cf whith (lie told her was brought by a porter, who waited for an anfvvcr. Mifs Bctfy's heart fluttered at the mention of a letter, flattering hcrfelf it came from tlie pcrfon, who at prefcnt engrofled her thoughts j but on tak- ing it from the maid, fouiid a vv'oman's hand on the fupcrfcription, and one perfectly known to her, though that infiant fhe could not reflect to whom it belonged : (he v/as a good deal furprifed, when on breaking the feal (lie fojnd it came from Rlifs f'orward, wltii whom, as well as the reft ef the boarding-fchool ladies, €aQ haJ ceafed all corre- fpondence for many months. The contents wercJ thefe : To Mifs Bet£Y Thoughtless', <« Dear Mifs Eccfv, ic ^-pHOUGFI fmce I had the pleafure of fcs- «' -i. ing 'or heai ing from you, fo many acci- '^ dents, and odd turns of fortune, have h;ippen- '^ ed to me, as might very well engrofs my *' wliole attention; yet T cannot be fo far forget-' '* ful of our former friendf}-iip, as to be in the *' fametOA'n wkh you, without letting }cu know, *' and defning to fee you. Were there a pofTibi- '' lity of my w^aiting on you, I certainly fhould «' have made you the firfl vifit ; but alas ! at prc- «« fent there is not. Oh ! Mifs Betfy, I have '' flrange things to tell you ; things fit only to <' be trufled to a perfon whofe generofity and *' good nature I have experienced. If therefore <' you are fo good to come, I muft intreat you" *' will bring no companion with you, and alfa *' that you will allow me that favour the firft *^ Je fure hour; becaufe I am in fome hopes of re- •' turnirjg to L e in a fhort time. Pleafe *' to enquire for the houfe of one Mrs. Night- " fhade, M//} Betsy Thoughtless. gt ** fhade, in Chick-lane, near Smitiifield, where " you will find her, who, in fpite of time, ab- " f.-nce, and a thoufand perplexing circumftan- " CCS, is *' With the moft tender regard, " My dear Mifs Bctly, " Your very fmcere, *' Though unfortunate, friend, . " A. Forward *' P. S. Be To good to let me know, by a line, *' whether I may flatter myfclf with the hupei <« of feeing you, and at what time," Though Mifs Eetfy, through the hurry cf her own affairs, had neglected writing to this young lady for a confidcrable time ; yet fhe was extreme- ly pleafed at hearing from her : fhe could not ima- gine, however, what flrange turns of fortune they were fhe mentioned in her letter, and which fne fuppofed had brought her to London. Equally im- patient to fatisfy her curiofity in this point, as to fee a perfon with whom (he had contraded her firft ffiendfliip, fhe took pen and paper and immediate- ly wrote this anfwer : To Mifs Forward. * ' D^ ar Afifs Forward, cc 'I ^ II E fatisfadiion of hearing you were fo *' X near me would be compleat, were it not '' allayed by the hints you give, that fome acci- *' denrs, not altogether pleafm -, had occafioned it. " I long to hear what has happened to you, fmce *' laft we faw each other, and will not fail to wait ** on you this afternoon. I know nothing of the *' part of the town you are in, but fuppofe a " hackney-coach will be able to find its way. I •' will 92 ne HISTORY cf " will detain your meflenger no ionger, than to '^ tdl you that I am, " With the moft perfect amity, " Deer Mifs P'orward, *' Your very aficdionate fricnJ, " And humble fervant, " E. Thoughtless." , Mifs Flora had not been prefent v.-hen the maid delivered the letter to Mifs Bttfy ; but coming in- to the chamber juO: as fliC had iiniihsed, and was fcaling up the anlwer to it : *' So," faid Oie, '• have I catch'd you ? Pray what new lover have " you been writing to this morning ?*'' k was in vain ^hat Mifs Betfy told her, fne never yet had fcen the man flie thought worthy of a letter from her, on the fcore of love : the other perfifted in her affeverations ; and Mifs Betfy to filence her railery was obliged to fhcvv her fome part of the letter flie had received from Mifs Forvi'ard. It bciiig near brcakfaft time tliey went dov.'n to- gether into the parlour, and as they were drinking their Coffee, *' Well, pretty lady," faid Mr. Goodman to Mifs Betfy, with a fmile, ** how ** did you like the gentleman that dined here ye- " flerday." This queftion fo much furprifed her, that fhe could not help bluihing. *' Like him, " Sir," replied (he, " I did not take any notice " of him. I remember a ftranger was here, " and (laid a good while, and that is all ; for I " neither obferved any thing he faid, or did, or '* thought on him fmce." " The agreeable con- " fufion." " cried Mr. Goodman, gaily, " you *' are in at my mentioning him, makes me believe *' you remarked him more than you are willing to " acknowledge, and I am very glad of it. Vou " do him but juftice I afTure you, for he is very •' much in love with you. " Lord, M'lfs Betsy Thought liss. g'^ *' Lord, Sir," faid MiA Eafy, blueing flill more, " I cannot imagine what makes you talk ^^ io ; I don*t fuppofe the man thinks of me any " more than I do of him. *' That may be," re- joined he" laughing outright. Lady Mellafin then took up the word, and tuld her hufband, he was very merry that morning. *' Aye," Hiid he, " the hurry of fpirits I liave put poor Mifs Betfy *' in, has made me (o ; but 1 can affure you the *' thing is very ferious ; but," continued he, " you '^ {ball know the whole of it." He then proceeded to inform them, that the perfon he had been fpeaking of, was the Ton of one who had formerly been a merchant j but who hav- ing acquired a large fortune by his induflrv, hatl for feveral years pafl: left off bufinefs, and lived moflly in the country ; that the young gentleman had fccn Mifs Betfy at St. Paul's rehear fal, when they were all there to hear the mufic ; that the next day afcer, he had come to him at a cofFec- houfe, which it was known he frequented, and af- ter afking many queftions concerning Mifs Betfyj and hearing flic was not engnged, declared he was very much charmed with her, and entreated his permiflion, as being her guardian, to make his ad- drcfies to her. Mr. Goodman remembered the affront he had received from alderman Savinf^ on a like occafion, -and was determined not to lay him- felfopcn to the fame from Mr. Staple, ( for (o he was called,) and plainly told the young lover, that he would encourage nothing of that fort, v.'ithout the approbation of his father ; that after this he had a meeting with the old gentleman, who being fully fatisfied by him of Mifs Betfy's family, fortune, and charader, had no objeiSlions to make as^ainft his fon's inclinations. " Having this fanctlon," . continued Mr. Goodman, " and believing it may be *' a very proper match for both of you," I brought '* hun 9+ The HISTORY cf '' him home with me to dinner yefterday, and *' fiiould be glad to know how far you think you *' can approve of the offer before I give him my '* confent to makeit." '* I have already told you, Sir," replied Mifs Betfy, " that I took but little notice of the gcntle- " man;- -or, if I had, fhould never have afked *' myfelf the queflion, whether I could like him or *' not ; for as to marriage, I do afllire you, Sir, it is •' a thing that has never yet entered into my head." *' Nay, as to that," returned he, " it is time e- *' nough, indeed. A good hufband, however^ *' can never come unfeafonable. — I fliall tell him, *' hemay vifit you, and leave you to anfvver the " addrefles according to the didates of your " heart." Mifs Betfy neither oppofed, nor gave confent to what her guardian faid, on this fcore ; but her not refufing feemed to him a fufficient grant : fo there pafTed rothing more, except fome little pleafantries ufual on fuch fubjeds. CHAP. xiir. Coniahjs fome part of the hijlory of M'lfs Forward's adventures^ from the time of her leaving the boar ding- fchool^ as related by her her f elf to Mifs Betfy. I S S Betfy had now her head, though not her heart, full of the two new conqueiis Ihe had made : Mr. Trueworth was flrongly recom- mended by her brother, — Mr. Staple by her guar-* dian ; yet all the idea fhe had of either of them, ferved only to excite in her the pleafing imagina- tion how, when they both came to addrefs her, {he fhould pliiy the one againft the other, and give her- felf Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 95 felf a conftant round of diverfion, by their alternate contentment or tlifquiet. As the barometer, faid flie to herfelf, is governed by the weather, To is the man in love governed by the woman he admires : he is a meer machine, atfts nothing of himfclf,— has no will or power of his own, but is lifted up, or deprefll-d, juit as the charm.er of his heart is in the humour. I wifli, continued {he, I knew what day thefe poor ci'eatures would come, though *tis no matter, 1 have got it fcems pofiefiion cf their hearts, and their eyes will find graces in me, let me appear in what Ihapc foever. Thefe contemplations, however enchanting as they were to her vanity, did not render her forget- ful of the promife fhe had made Mifs Forward, and, as foon as dinner was over, ordered a hackney- coach to be called, and went to the place Adifs Forward's letter had direjStcd. It is fcarce poffible for any one to be more fur- prifed than {l:ic was, en entering the houfe of Mrs. Nightiliadc. Tlie father of Mifs P'orward was a gentleman of a large cftate, and of great confide* ration in the coun'y where he lived, and fhe ex- pelled to have ften his daughter in lodgings fuiiable to her birih and fortune : inllcad of which, fhe found hcrfelf condi:«5lcd by an old iil-looked mean woman, who gave her to underlland fhe was the miflrefs of the houfe, up tv/o-pair-of-frairs, fo nar- row tb.at fhe was obliged to hold her hoop quite under her arm, in order to gain the fleep, and al- mofl perpendicular afcetU: fhe v/as then fhew^ ed into a li'.tle dirty chamber, where on a wretclicd bed Mifs Forward lay in a mod melancholy ari dtje6led pofture. " Here is a lady wants yoi','* faid the hag, who ufliered in Mifs Betfy. Thefe Words, and the opening the door, made Mifs Forward ftart from the bed to receive h^z viiitor ill the bell manner fhe could : fhe falu-cJ, fhe em- braced zj6 rhe HISTORY of braced her with all the demonftrations of joy and afFcdion ; but Mifs Betfy was To confounded at the appearance of every thing about her, that fhe was almoll incapable of returning hercarefTes. * Mifs P'orward eafily perceived the confufion her friend was in, and having lead her to a chair, and feated hcrfcif near her, " My dear Mils Betfy," faid (he, " I do not wonder you are alarmed at " finding me in a condition fo different from what *' you might have expected : my letter indeed gave *'' you a hint of fome misfortunes that had befallen *' me; but I forbore letting you know of what '• nature they v/ere, becaufe the fads, v^'ithout " the circumftances, which would have been too *• long to communicate by writing, might have " made me appear more criminal, than I flatter my- *' felf you will think I really am, when you fhall '' be tokl the v.'hole of my unhappy flory.'* ■ Mifs Betfy "then allured her, fhe fhould take a friendly part in every thing that had happened to her, and that nothing could oblige her more than the confidence (he mentioned : on which the other taking her by the hand, and letting fall fome tears, faid, " O Mifs Betfy ! Mifs Betfy, 1 have fuf- " fered much^ and if you find a great deal to blame '^ me for, you will find yet much more to pity." Then after having paufed a little, as if to recoiled the pafTages fhe was about to relate, began in this manner : ' You muft remember,' faid fhe, ' that when * you left us to go for London, I was ftridly watch- ' ed and confined, on account of my innocent ' correfpondence with Mr. Sparkifh ; but that * young gentleman being fent to the univcrfity foon * after, I had the fame liberty as ever, and as ' much as any young lady in the fchool. The tu- ' torefs, who v/as with us in your time, being in * an ill Itate of health, went away, and one Ma- " dcnioifellc M//} Betsy Thoughtless. 97 * demoifelle Grenouille, a French woman, was * put in her place : the governefs had a high opi- ' nionofher, not only on the fcoreof the charac- * ter (he had of her, but alfo for the gravity of her * behaviour. But as demure, however, as fhe af- ' fe6led to be before her, (he could be as merry and * facetious as ourfelves, when out of her fight, as ' you will foon perceive by what I have to tell * you. * Whenever any of us took an evening's walk, * this was the pcrfon to wliofe care we were en- * truilcd, the governefs growing every day more * infirm, and indeed unable to attend us. ' It was towards the clofe of a very hot day, that * myfelf, and two more, went with Mademoifelle * Grenouille to take a little air in the lane, at the * backfide of the great road, that leads up to lord € ***'g ^pg fg2t. We were about the miJtilc of ' the lane when we heard the found of Frcnch- * horns, double-curtails, and other inftruments of * wind-mufic : Mademoifelle at this couid not re- * (train the natural alertnefs of her count rv, but * went dancing on, 'till we came very near thole * that played. * You muft know, my dear Mifs Betfv,' con* tinued fhe, 'that my lord ***'s park wall reaches to the bottom of this lane, and has a little gate into it : having, it feems, fome company with him, he had ordered two tents to be ere(5^cd in that part of the park ; the one for himfeif and friends, the other for the mufic, who founded the inftruments to the healths were toaflcd : but this we being ignorant of, and delighted with the harmony, wand red on till we came clofe to the little gate I mentioned, and there ftood iliil liflen- ing to it. Some one or other of the gemkmen faw us, and faid to the others, ' We have EveV droppers j* on which they quitted their feats, and Vol, I. F ' ran 98 ra^ H I S T O R Y ^/ * ran to the gate : on feeing them all approach, we ' Would have drawn back, but they were too * quick for us ; the gate was inftantly thrown open, * and fix or fcven gentlemen, of whom my lord ' himfclf was one, rufhed out upon us. Perceivinij * we endeavoured to efcape them, they catched ' hold of us, * Nay, ladies,' faid one of them, * you muft not think to avoid paying the piper, af- * ter having heard his mufic. ' Mademoifelle, on this, addreflcd herfelf to my * lord * * *, vvith as much formality as fhc could ' aflume, and told him, wc v/erc young ladies of * dillindion, who were placed at a boarding fchool ' juft by, and at prcfcnt were under her care, (q * begged no rudenefs miglit be offered. His lord- ' fhip protellcd on his honour none fhould ; but * infifted on our coming into the park, and drink- * ing one glafs of whatever wine we pleafed -, upon « which, * What fay you, ladies ?* cried Made- * moifelle, ' I believe wc may depend on his lord- *' fnip's prote;51ion/ None of us oppofed the mo- ' tion, as being as glad to accept it as herfelf. In * fine, we went in, and v/ere condu<5^ed to th^ ' tent, ii} the mid ft of which were placed bottles, < glalTes, jeliies, fweetmeats, pickles, and I know ' not what other things to regale and quicken the * appetite. Servants, who attended, cooled the * glafTcs out of a filver fountain, on a little pedeftal, ' at the one end of the tent, and filled every one a ' glafs with what each of us chofe. One of the « company perceiving our condudrefs was a French- .< woman, talked to her in her own language, and « led her a minuctte round the table ; and, in the « mean time, the others took the opportunity of * enter! ainin? us : he that had hold of me, fo plied ' me with kilTcs and embraces, I (carce knew where « I was. — ^Oh! the difference between his ca- « ,rcfies and the boyifli infipid falutu of mailer Spar- ' kifn ! Mifs Betsy Though tlkss. 9'-) * kifh ! The others, I fuppofe, were fervcd with * the fame agreeable robuftnefs I was ; but I * had not the power of oblciving them, any more * than, as I afterwards found, they had of me. * In fine, never were poor innocent girls fo pref- * fed, fo killed : every thing but the dernier ' undoing deed, and that there was no opportunity ot * compleating, every one of us, our tutorefs not * excepted, I am certain experienced. " Heavens !" cried Mifs Betfv, interrupting her, *' how I envied your happinefs a moment lincc, " and how I tremble fpr you now," ' O Mifs Bctfy, replied Mifs Forward, every ' thing would have been done in that forgetful ' hour J but as I have already faid, there was net * an opportunity. My lover notwithflanuing, for ' fa I muft call him, would not kt me get out of ' his arms, till I had told him my name, ai;d bv what means he fliould convey a letter to me. I afFcdled to make a fcruplc of granting this rcqiiefi", though heaven knows I was but too well pie?. fed at his grafping me flill fafler, in order to compel me to it. I then gave him my name, und told ' him, that if he would needs write, I knew no other way by which lie might be lure ot my re- ceiving his k-tters, but by llippii^.g it into my < hand as I was coming out of chuich, which he might eafily do, there being always a great con- courfe of people about the J.oor ; \in this he gave me a falute, the warmth of v/hich I never Tnall ' forget, and then fuffered me to depart with my companions, who, if they were not quite i'o much engaged as myftlf, had yet enough to make * them remember this night's i amble. ' The tutorefs knew well enough how to excufe * our flaying out {o much longer than ufual, and * neither the governefs, nor any one ii^ the f^imily, * except ouifclves, knew any thin^ cf what had F 2 <*' pulT.d. loo n^ H I STORY of * pafTcd. I cannot fay but my head ran extremely * on this adventure. I heartily wiflied my pretty * fellow might keep his word in writing to mc, and * was forming a thoufand projeds how to keep * up a correfpondence with him. I don't tell you < I was what they call in love ; but certainly I was ^ very near it, and longed much more for Sunday < than ever I had done for a new gown : at laft the * willied-for day arrived, my gentleman was < punctual, — —he came clofe to mc in the church* * porch, 1 held my hand in a carclefs manner, * with my handkerchief in it, behind me, and pre- * fently found fomcthing put into it, which I hafti- * ly conveyed into my pocket, and on coming * home, found a little three-corner'd billet, con- * taining thefe lines : To the charming Mifs Forward. «' Moji lovely of your f ex ^ *' T HAVE not flept fmce I faw you,— fo ^' X deep an impreiBon has your beauty made on *' my heart, that 1 find I cannot live without you ; •' nor even die in peace, if you vouchafe not my «* laft: breath to ifiue at your feet, In pity then to «* the fufferings you occafion, grant me a fecond ♦* interview, though It be only to kill me with your *' frowns, 1 am too much a ftranger in thefe ♦* parts to contrive the means ; be, therefore, {(^ «* divinely good to do it for me, elfe expert to fee ** me carried by your door a bleeding, breath- *' lefs corps, —the vi(5lim of your cruelty, inftcad ♦< of your compaiTion, to ^' Your moft^ grateful adorer, <' And evcrlaftirg (lave, <« R. WjLDLY." iVf//^ Betsy Thoughtless. lor . • In a poflfcript to this,* purfucd Mifs Forward, * he told me, that he would be in the church-porch * in the afternoon, hoping to receive my anfwer * by the fame means I had diredled him to convey * to me the dictates of his heart. ' I read this letter over and over, as you nuy * eafily guefs, by my remembering the contents tji * it (o perfectly ; but it is impolTiblc for me to cx- * prefs the perplexity I was in how to reply to it. * I do not mean how to excufe myfclt from erant- * ing the interview he (b paflionately rcquciltd ; * for that, perhaps, I wifhed for with as much im- * patience as he could do, but I was diftra^ted at * not being able to contrive any pracliciible niethu*i * for our meeting. * OMifs Betfy, how did I long for you, or fucli * a fiicnd as you, to aflift me in this dilemma ! but * tlicre was no one pci fun in th.e whde houfe 1 * dared trufl with fucha fecret : I could not * cat a bit of dinner, nor fcaice fpeak a word ta * any body ; fo much were my ilioyghts taken up * with what I lliould do. 1 was rcfolved to fe« * him, and hear what he had lo fay, whatever * fhould b« the confcquence ; at laft I hit upon a * way, dangerous indeed in every rcfpe^St, and * fhameful in a girl of my condition ; vet as there * were no other, the frenzy I was polllUsd of, com* * pelled me to have rccourfe to it. * You niuft remember, my dear Mifs Bcify,' continued fhe, with a deep figh, * the little door * at the farther end of the garden, where by 3 our * kind contrivance young Sparkifli was introduced : * it was at this door I determined to meet Mr. ' Wildly. This you may be furc could not be dune * by day, v/ilhout a difcovery, fome one or other * beingcontinwally running into the garden. I there- * fore fixed the rendezvous at ni^iu, at an hour F 3 * when 102 The HISTORY of ' when I was pofitivc all the" family would be in * bed, and ordered it in this manner: ' Chance aided my ill genius in my undoing : I * lav at that time alone; Mifs Bab, who ufcd ' to be my bed-fellow, was gone home for a fort- ' night, on account of a great wedding in their h- '^ mily, and I thought 1 could cafily flip dov/n ftairs * wlien every body was aflccp, and go through the ' kitchen, from whicb you know there is a pafTage ' into the garden. I took no care for any thing ^ but to prevent tre diGippointment of my defign ; ' for I apprehended nothing of ill from a man who ' adv)red me, and of whofe will and acfiions 1 fuol- * ifbly imagined I had the fole command. * The {Lttling this mstter in my mind cngrofled * nil my thoughts, till the bell began to ring for di- ' virie fervice, and 1 had only time to write thcle * lines in anfwcr to his billet : Tj Mr. Wildly. " Sir, " I HAVE been always told it was highly " A criniinal in a youwg maid, lik^^ me, to iif- ** ten to the addrelfcs of any man without re- *' ceiving the permiflian of her parents for fo '* doing ; yet, I hope, I (liall ftand excufed both " to them and you, if I confefs-1 am willing to bo " thefirft to hear what (o nearly concerns myfelf. ** I have but one way of fpeaking to you, and if " your love be as fiticexe and fervent as you pre« •' tend, you will not think it too much to wait be- ** twecn the hours of eleven and twelve this night, ** at a green door, in the wall which encompafles <' our garden, at the further end of the lane, lead- " ingtothat part of lord **'^'s park, where we *' firft faw each other ; you will find me, if no «' Cfofs accident intervenes, at the time and place I Oientioi) j Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. io^ ^' mention ; but impute this condefcenfion to no *' other motive than tliat companion you implore. *' I flatter myfelf your intentions are honourable, ^' and in that belief am, « Sir, ** Your humble fervant, " A. Forward." Mifs Bttfy, duiingthe repetition of this letter, and fome time before, fhook. her head, and fncwcd great tokens of furprize and difapprobation, but or- iering no interruption, the other went on in hei* difcourfc in this manner : ' 1 protell to you, my dear Mifs Betfy,' fuij ihe, * that I had nothing in virw by this letter, and ihu * affignation it contameJ, than to fecure him to ' me as a lover. I nevtr had reafon to rcpc.nr of * the private correfpondcncc 1 carried on wit!) Mr. ' Spark;{li, nor knew it was in the nature of nun * to take advjr,(;igc (.f a maid's fjmplicitvi but \ ' will not protra'as the fex, not the per- fon, file regarded. 1 could not, however, be of her way of thinking. I really loved Mr. Wildly, and v/ould have given the worlds had 1 be^n mifircfs of it, to have ken \im again ; but, as Ihc faid, indeed, there was no probabili y for my doing f o ^ and therefore I attempted, ihrouoh 112 n^ HISTORY of * her perfuafions, to make a virtue of neccflity, * and forget both him and all had pafs'd between « us. I Ihould in the end, perhaps, have accom- * pliilied this point ; but oh ! 1 had a remembran- * cer within, which I did not prefently know of. * Jn fine, 1 had but too much reafon to believe I was * pregnant. — A thing, which though a natural con- * fequence of the folly I had been guilty of, never * once entered into my head. ' Madamoifelle Grenouille feemed now terribly * alarmed, on my communicating to her my fuf- * picions on this fcore : (he cried, 'twas very un- * lucky ! then paufcd, and asked what I would * do, if it (hould really be as I feared ? I replied, * that I knew not what courfc to take, for if my ' father fhould know it I was utterly undone : ' I added, that he was a very auftere man ; and, ' befidcs, I had a mother-in-law, who would not ' fail to fay every thing {he could to incenfe him * againft me. "• 1 fee no recourfe you have then,' faid fhe, *'• but by taking phyfic to caufe an abortion. •' You muft pretend you are a little difordered, *' and fend for an apothecary. The fooner the «* better, for if it {hould become vifible, all would *' infarut)ly be known, and we fliould both be " ruined.' * I was not fo weak as not to fee, that if any * difcovery were made, her fhare in the intrigue * muil come out, and (he would be diredly turn- ' cd out of doors ; and that whatever concern (lie ' pretended for me, it was chiefly on her own ac- ' count : however, as 1 faw no other remedy, was * refolvcd to take her advice. * Thus by having been guilty of one crime I * was eafnared to commit another, of a yet fouler * kind : one was the error of nature, this an of- * fenc<; againft nature. The black dcfign, how- * ever. Mtfi Betsy Thoughtless. 113 * ever, fucceeded not ; I took potion after po* * tion, yet (till retained the token of my (hame, * which at length hecame too perfpicuous for me, * to hope it would not be taken notice of by all * who faw me. * I was almoft diftradled, and madamoifellc * Grenouille little lefs fo : I was one day alone * in my chamber, pondering on my wretched ftate, * and venting fome part of the anguifn of my mind * in tears, when (he came in: ' What avails all *' this whimpering, faid fhe, ' you but hailcn *' what you would wifti to avoid. The governcfs *' already perceives you are llrangely altered ; fhe *' thinks you are either in a bad liate of health, •' or fome way difordered in your mind, and ** talks of writing to your father to fend for you ** home." " O heavens ! ' cried I, ' Home did you ** fay ? ■ No ; I will never go home. The *' grave is not fo hateful to me, nis * prefent fubfiftence, to the very means by which ' he had been undone : In fhort, that he was a * gamefter. The name flarlled me: treated, as I * had always heard it, with the utmoft contempt, * I could not reconcile how fuch a one came to be * the gucft and companion of a lord, though I * have fmce heard, that men of that profcilion frQ- * quently receive thofe favours from the nobility, * which are denied to perfons of more unblemifh- * ed chara£ler. ' Wildly, however, it is certain, has feme no- * tions of honour and gocd-nature j he afiured me * he would do all in his power to protc6l m.e ; but * added, that he had been very unfortunate of late, ' and that I muft wait for a lucky chance, before * he could afFord me any fupply. * I flayed at Bath all the tim.e he was there : he * vifited me every day, but I lived on my own * money, 'till we came to town, v/hen my time ' being very near, he brought me 10 the place you ' iand iiB r;^^ H ISTO R Y of find me in, having, it fcems, agreed with the woman of the houfc for a certain fum of money to iupport me during my lying-in, and keep the child as long as it (hould live. The mifcries I have fuftained during my abode with this old hag, would be too tedious to repeat. The only joy I have is, that the wretched infant died in three days after its birth, fo has efcaped the woes, which children thus expofed are doomed to bear. Wildly has taken his laft leave of me, and I have wrote to an aunt, entreating her to endeavour to obtain my father's forgivenefs. I pretended to her, that I left L e for no other reafon than becaufe I had an ardent defire to fee L^on- don ; and, as I think, no-body can reveal to him the true caufe, have fome hopes of not being ut^ terly abandoned by him/ Here this unfortunate creature finiflied her long narrative, and Mifs Betfy faw her in too much af- fiidion, to cxprefs any thing that might encreafe It : ilie only thanked her for repofing a confidence in her, " Which," faid flie, "' may be of great fer- " vice to me fome time or other.'* Before they parted, Mifs Forward fiiid, (he had gone in debt to Mrs. Nightfliade, for fome few things (lie wanted, over and above what is gene- gcrally allowed in fuch cafes, and had been affronted by her fur not being able to difcharge it, therefore entreated Mifs Betf;/ to lend her tv/enty (hillings ; on v'hich the generous, and fweet-tempered young lady immediately drew her purfe, and after giving her the fum file demanded, put two guineas more into her hand : "Be pleafed to accept this," faid (he, *^ you may p^fTibly want fomething after hav- *' ing paid your debt." The other tlianked her, and told her, fl-^e doubted not but her aunt would fend her fomething, and ihe would then repay it. •' 1 fnall g.ve aiyfelf no pain about that," faid Mifs M/j Betsy Thoughtless. 119 Mifs Betfy, and then took her leave, dcfiring {he would lee her know by a letter what fuccefs (lie had with her friends. Mifs Forward told her, (he might depend not only on hearing from her, but facing her again, as foon as ihe had any thing to ac- quaint her with. CHAP. XV. Brhgs many things on the carpet^ highly pUafing to Mifs Betfyy in their beginnings and no Ufs per^ plexing to her in their confequences, TH E account of thofe many and dreadful mif- fortuncs, which the ill condu6t of Mifs For- ward had drawn upon her, made Mif«^ Bctfy ex- tremely penfive. ' 'Tis firange,* faid fhe to her- felf, ' that a woman cannot indulge hcrfelf in the * liberty of converfmg freely with a man, without * being perfuaded by him to do e- ery thing he ' would have her.* She thought, however, that fome excufe might be made for l^.'li^s Forward, on the fcore of her being (o ftridly debarred from all acquaintance with the other fex. ' People,' cried ihe, ' have naturally an inclination to do what ' they are mod forbid. The poor girl had a curi- ' ofity to hearjierfelf addrefTed, and having no op- * portunity of gratifying that pafTion, but by ad- ' mitting her lover at fo odd a time and place, was ' indeed too much in his power to have withftocd ' her ruin, even if fhe had been miftrefs of more * courage and refolution than fhe was.' On meditatiiig on the follies which women are fometimes prevailed upon to be guilty of, the difco- very fhe had made of Mifs Flora's intrigue with Gayland cam* frcfh into her mind. ' What, faid flie, ' could induce her to faciifice her honour ? ' Deciaiaticiis 120 7/^^ H I STOR Y of * Declarations of love were not new to her. She * heard every day the flatteries with which our fex * are treated by the men, and needed not to have * purchafed the afliduides of any one of them at fo * dear a rate. Good God ! are innocence and the * pride of confcious virtue, things of fo little efti- * mation, as to he thrown away for the trifling * pleafure of hearing a feW tender proteftations ? * Perhaps all falfe, and uttered by one whofe heart * dcfpifes the eafy fondnefs he has triumphed over, * and ridicules the very grant of what he fo earneft" « Jyfollicitedi' It is certain, this young lady had the highcft no- tions of honour and virtue, and whenever fhe gave herfelf time to refle(5l, looked on every thing that had a tendency to make an encroachment on them with the moft extreme deteftation ; yet had flie good-nature enough to pity thofe faults in others, ihe thought it impoflible for her to be once guilty of herfelf. But amidfl: fentiments as noble, and as generous, ns ever heart was poflefl^ed of, vanity, that foible of her foul, crept in, and would have itsfhare. She had never been thoroughly attacked in a difhonour- able way, but by Gayland, and the gentleman- commoner at Oxford ; both which fhe rebuffed with a becoming difdain. In this (he fecretly exul- ted, and had that dependance on her power of re- pelling all the efforts, come they in what fhape fo- ever, that fliould be made againft her virtue, that fhe thought it beneath her to behave fo as not to be in danger of incurring them. How great a pity it is, that a mind endued with fo many excellent qualities, and which had fuch ex- alted ideas of v/hat is truly valuable in woman kind> lliould be tainted with a frailty of fo fatal a nature, as to expofe her to temptations, which if file were not utterly undone, it muft be owing rather to the interpcfitioii AZ/y} Be TSY Thoughtless. 121 interpofition of her guardian angel, than to the Itrength of human reafon : but of that hereafter ; at prefent there were none had any bafe defigiiS up- on her ; we muft fhew what fuccefs thofe gentle- men met with, who addreffed her with the moft pure and honourable intentions : cf this number wc fhall fpeak fir (I of Mr. True worth and Mr. Staple ; the one, as has been already faid, flrenuoufly re- commended by her brother, the other by Mr, Goodman. . . Mr. Staple had the good fortune (if it. may be called fo) to be thefirftof thcfe tv/oVvh6 had the opportunity of declaring his paffion : the journe? of the other to London having been retarded two days longer than he intended. This gentleman having Mr. Goodman's leave, made a fccond vifit at his houfc. Lady Mcliaf!:! and Mils Flora knowing on what bufincfs he was come, made an excufe for leaving him and Mifs Betfy together. He made his addrefTes to her, in the forms which lovers ufually obferve on the flrft declaration ; and file replied to what he faid, in a manner not to encourage iijm' too much, nor yet to take from him all hope. ^' ' /•- " '• While they were difcourfing a'footrftan came In, and told her, a gentleman from Oxford delircd to fpeak with her, having fome commands from her .brother to deliver to her. Mr. Staple fuppofing they had bufinefs took his leave, and Mr. IVucworth, for it was he indeed, was introduced. *' Madam," faid he, faluting her with the ut- mnft refpc<5f, '.' I have many obligations to Mr. ** T'houghtlefs j but none which demands fo hr^c " a portion of my gratitude, as the honour, he has f conferred upon me in prcfcnting you with this *« letter." To which (he replied, that her brother mi'(t certainly have a great confidence in his good- iiefs, to give him this trouble ; with thcfe wcrdi Vol. J. G fee 122 The H 1 S T O R Y c/ ihe took the letter out of his hand, and having; ob- liged him to feat himfelfj *' You will pardon, Sir,'* jiaid fhe, " the rudenefs, which my impatience to ^* receive the commands of fonear and dear a rela- ** tion makes me guilty of." He made no other anfwer to thefe words than a low bow, and fhe withdrew to a window, and found the contents of hcT brother's letter were thtfc : To Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. * My dear fijler^ * y SHALL leave Oxford to-morrow, in order * Jl to crofs the country for the feat of Sir Ralph ' Trufty, as I fuppofc Mr. Goodman will inform * you, 1 having wrote to him by the poft j but the * moft valuable of my friends being going to Lon- * don, and exprefling a defire of renewing that ac- * quaintancc he bad begun to commence wMth you * here, I have taken the liberty of troubling him * with the delivery of this to you. He is a gentle- * man whofe merits you are yet a flranger to, but * I have fo good an opinion of your penetration, as * to be confident a very little time will convince * you, that he is deferving all the efteem in your ^ power to regard him with : in the mean time * doubt not, but you will receive him as a perfon ' whofe fuccefs, in every thing, is much defired ^ by him, who is, * With the tendered: good wifhes, < Dear fifter, * Your moft affedlionate brother, * F. Thoughtless.* As (he did not doubt but, by the flile and manner of tliib letter, that it had been feen by Mr. True- worth, fhe could not keep herfelf from blufliing, which hcobfeivingas he fat, flattered himfelf with taking M//} Betsy Thoughtless. 123 tftking as a good omen. He had too much awe up- on him, however, to make any declaration of iiis paflion at firft viiit, neither, indeed, had he the op- portunity of doing it, lady Mellafin, and Mifs P^io- ra, thinking they had left Mr. Staple and MifsBctf/ a fufiicient time together, came into the room : the former was furprifed to find he was gone, aiid a ftrange gentleman in his place ; but Mifs Flora re- membering him perfectly well, they f^lutcd each other with the freedom of perfons who were not entire ftrangers, they entered into a converfation, and other company coming in, Mr. Trueworth had an opportunity of difplaying the fine talents he was mafter of: his travels, — the obfcrvations he had made on thccuriofities he had feen abroad, particu- Jarly at Rome, Florence, and Naples, were highly entertaining to the company ; on taking leave he told the ladies, he hoped they would allov/ him the favour of maicingoncat their tea-table fometimcs, while he remained in London : to v.'hich lady Mel- hfm and her daughter, little fufpe6ling the motive he had for this requeft, joined in affurinp; him, he could not come too often, and that they (l^.culd ex- pect to fee him every d«y ; but Mifs Betfy looking on herfelf as chiefly concerned in his admifTion, mo- deftly added to what they had faid, only that a per- fonfo much, and fhe doubted net but fo jullly, cf- teemed by her brother, might be certain of a fincerc welcome from her. Every body was full of the praifes of this gen- tleman, and Mifs Betfy, though (he faid the Icafl of any one, thought her brother had not beflowcd more on him, than he really deferved. Mr. Good- man ccmlr.g hame foon after, there appeared fomc marks of difpleafure in his countenance, which, as he was the beft humoured man in the World, vay much furprifed thofe of his family ; but the com- ,papy not being" all retired, none of them feeiT»ed , G 2 :• i 12:^ fhc II I S TO R Y cf to take anv notice of it, and went on wich tlie con* vcrfation they were upon before lus entrance. I'hc vifitors, however, were no fooner gone, than without flaying to be afked, he immediately let them into the occafion of his being fo much fumcd : '' Mifs Betfy," faid he, '^ you have " ufcu me very ill : I did not think you would " have made a fool of me in the manner ycu have '* dor,zr Blefs me, Sir," cried fhe, " in what *' have 1 offended r" " You have not only offended " £gaii (I me/' anfwered he, very haftily, " but '* alfo againfl your own reafon, and common un- " derftanding : you are young, 'tis true, yet not " io young as not to know it is both ungenerous *' and fiily toimpofe upon your friends." '' I fcorn " the thought, Sir, of impofrng upon any body," faid (he; *' I therefore defire, Sir, you will tell *l me what you mean by fo-unjuft an accufation." ^' Unjuft !" refumed he, " I appeal to the whole '• world, if it were well done of you to fuffer me " to encourage my friend's courtfhip to you, when *^' at the fanie time your brother had engaged you >' to receive the addreffcs of another." iVlifs Betfy, though hx from thinking it a fault in her to hear the prcpofals of a hundred lovers, ^ud as many offered themfelves, was yet a little ihocked at the reprimand given her by Mr. Good- man ; and not being able prefently to make any reply to what he had faid, he took a letter he had iuft received frc>*ii her brother out of his pocket, iind threw it on the table, with thcfe v/ords : '^ Th:t *t will fhev/," faid he, " v/hether I have not caufe " to relent your behaviour in this point." Per- ceiving fhe was about to take it up, " Hold," cried he, '' my v;ife Oiall read it, and be the judge " between us." Lady Meliafin, who had ;jot fpokc ail this time, . ^ then M//(f Betsy Thought LESS. 125 then took the letter, and read aloud the contents, which were thefe : To Mr. Goodman. Sir, THIS comes to let you know I have received the remittances you were (o obliging to fend me. I think to fet out to-morrow for L e, but (hall not ftay there for any length of time : my intentions for going into the army are the fame as when I laft wrote to you, and the more I conficltrr on that affair, the more I am confirmed that a military life is moft fuitable ot any to my genius and humour : if, therefore, you can liear of any thing proper for me, eithei in the guards, or in a marching regiment, ngainfl: I come to town, I fhali be infinitely thankhil for the trouble you take in tlie enquiry ; but, Sir, this is not all the favour I have to afk of you at prcfcnt. A gentleman of family, foitune, and charackr, has feen my fifter, likes her, and ii %oing to Lon^ion, on no other bufmefs than to make his addreiTes to her. I have already wrote to her on this fubjec^, and I believe (lie will pay fom.e regard to what I have faid ir) his bclulf. I am very well afilired (he never can have a more advantageous offer, as to his circumflanccs, nor be united to a man of more true honour, morality, and fweetnefs of difpofuioh ; ail Vv-hich I have had frequent occafions of being an eye* witnefs of : but fhe is young, gay, and as yet, perhaps, not altogether fo capable as I could wifii of knowing what will make for her real happi- nefs ; I therefore intreat you, Sir, as the long experienced friend of our family, to forward this match, both by your advice, and whatever elfe is in your power, w^hich certainly will be the greateft act of goodnefs you can confer on her, 63 ^ ms 126 The HISTORY of as well as the highcfl: obligation to a brother, who vvilhcs nothing more than to fee her fecured fron-> ' all temptations, and well fettled in the world. I ' am, * With the greateft refpedl, ' Sir, ' Your moft humble, ' And moft obedient fervant, ' F. Thoughtless/ ' P. S. I had forgot to inform you, Sir, that the * name of the gentleman, I take the liberty of ' recommending with fomuch warmth, is True- * worth ; that he is defcendcd from the ancient ' Britons by the iather's fide, and by the mother's * from the honourable and well known OlJciif- ' tie's, in Kent.' «* O, fye Mifs Betfy," faid Lady Mellafin, ** how could you ferve Mr. Goodman fo ? VVhat '' will Mr. Staple hy., when he comes to knov/ he *' was encouraged to court a woman that was a\ *' ready pre-engaged." *' Pre-engaged, Madam,"' cried Mifs Betfy, in a fcornful tone, " what to a *' man I never faw but three times in my whole " life, and whofe mouth never uttered a fyllabie *' of love to me." She was going on, but Mr. Goodman, v/ho was ftillin a great heat, interrupted her, faying, " No matter whether he has uttered ■*' any thing of the bufmefs or not, it feems you are '*' enough acquainted with his fentiments, and I ■*' doubt not but he knows you are, or he would *• not have taken a journey to London on your ac- *' count. You ought therefore to have told me <• of his coming, and what your brother had wrote- '• concerning him, and I fhould then have let Mr. " Staple know it would be to no purpofe to make '« any courtfliip to you, as I did to another juft ' before Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 127 *' before I came home, who I find has taken a *' great fancy to you ; but I have given him his an- '' fwer; for my part I do not undcrftand this way " of making gentlemen lofe their time.*' 'Tis probable thefe laft words nettled Mifs Betfy more than all the reft he had faid ; fhe imagined herfelf fecure of the hearts of both Trueworth and Staple, but was vexed to the heart to have loit the addrefles of a third admirer, through the fcruplouf- nefs of Mr. Goodman, who fhe looked upon to have nothing to do with her affairs in this particu- lar : (he was too cunning, however, to let him fee what her thoughts were on that occafion, and only faid that he might do as he pleafed ; that (he did not want a hufband ; that all men were alike to her : but added, that it fecmed ftrange to her, that a young woman who had her fortune to make might not be allowed to hear all the different pro- pofals (hould be offered to her on that fcorc, and with thefe words flung out of the room, and went up into her chamber, nor would be prevailed upon to come down again that night, though Mifs Flora, and Mr. Goodman himfelf, repenting he had faid- fo much, called to her for that purpofe. CHAP. XVI. Prefents the reader with the name and chara5ier of Mifs Betfy's third lover ^ and alfo with fame other particulars, THOUGH lady Mellafm had fecmed to blame Mifs Betfy for not having communi- cated to Mr. Goodman what Iier brother wrote to her in relation to Mr. Trueworth, yet in her heart Ihe was far from being averfe to her receiving a plu- rility of lovers, becaufe whenever that young lady G 4 ftiould 2S rhe HISTORY of (hould fix her choice, there was a poflibility (omt one 01 ot-her of thofe fhe rejccSled might tranfmit f^is aaJreiles to her daughter, whom fhe was ex- tremLiy defirous of getting married, and had never- yet been once follicited on honourable terms : • iLe therefore told her hufband, that he ought not to liinder Mifs Betfy from hearing what every gen- tlem?.ii had to offer, to the end flie might accept that which had the profpect of moft advantage to her. Mr. Goodman in this, as in every thing elfe, fuf- fered himfelf to be di reded by her judgment, and the next morning, when Mifs Betfy came down, talked to her with his ufual plcafantry. " Weil," faid he, " have you forgiven my ill humour lafl *' night ? I was a little vexed to think my friend *' Staple had fo poor a chance for gaining you, and *^ the more fo becauTc Frank Thoughtlefs will *.^ take it ill of me, that I have done any thing in ** oppofiiicn to the perfon he recommends ; but ' you muft acL as you pleafe j for my part I fliaJi not meddle any farther in thefe affairs. *' Sir," replied Mifs Betfy, very gravely, I Tnall *' always be thankful to my friends for their advice, *' and whenever I think ferioufly of a hufband fliall *' not fail to intreat yours in my choice ; but," continued (he, '' one would imagine my brother, *' by writing fo prcilingly to you, wanted to hur- '' ry me into a marriage whether I would or no ; " and though I have as much regard for him, as a •' fifter can or ought to have, yet I fhall never be •* prevailed uponliy him to enter into a ftate to *^ v/hich at prefent I have rather an averfion than ■" inclination." , *' That is," faid Mr. Goodman, '' you have ra- '« ther an averfion, than an inclination, to the per- «< fons who addrefs you on that fcore." ** No, «* Sir," anfwered fhe, «* not at all : the per fons ' '' and Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 129 '^ and behaviour, both cf Mr, Trueworth and Mr. '• Staple, appear to me to be unexcep:ionab!ej bur <' fure one may allow a man to have merit, and be *' pleafed with hfs conveifation, without dcTiring *' to be t;icked to him for ever. I verily believe i *' fliall never be in love ; but if I r.m, it muft be a " long length of time, and a ferics of perfeverirg " afTiduities mufb make me fo.'* Mr. Goodman told her, thefe were only roman- tic notions, which, he doubted not, but a little lime would cure her of. What reply Mifs Betfy would have made is uncertain, for the difcourle was inter- rupted by a footman delivering a letter to her, in which fl.e found thefe lines : To Mifs Betsy Tjioughtless. * Fa 17^ Creature, * T A M no courtier, —-no beau,— -and have ' X hitherto had but little communication with ' your fex j but I am honeft and fincerc, and you « may depend on the truth of what I fay. I liave, * heaven be praifcd, acquired a very large fortune, * and for fomc time iiave had thoughts of marryirg, ' to the end I might have a fon to enjuy the fruit * of my labours, after I am food either for the * filhcs, or the v/orms : it is no great matter * Vv'hicli of them. Now I have been wifhed to fc- * vera! fine women, but my fancy gives the prefer- ' ence to you ; and if you can like me as v»'cll, v/e * fliall be very happy together. I fpoke to yotr ' guardian ycfterday, for I love to be above-board; ' but he fccmcd to lour, or, as we fay at fea, to ' be a liitle hazy on the matter, fo I thought I ' would trouble him no farther, but write diredly * to you. I hear there are tv.'o about you -y but * vv'hat of that? I have doubled the Cape of Good * Hope many a time, and never failed of reaching G 5 ' my 1^0 ne HISTORY^/ ' my intended port, 1 therefore fee no cauf;: wh^ * I ihoLild: apprehend a wreck by land. I am turn- * cd of eight and forty, 'tis true, which may-be * you may tiiink too old j. but I muft tell you, dcac * pretty one, that I have a conilitutlon that wilf * wear out twenty of your waihy pampered land- * men of not half my age. Whatever your for- * tune is 1 will fettle accordingly, and moreover * will fecure fomcthing hi^ndfome to vou at my dking, was immediately' imformed. Nanny, the upper houfe-maid, and the fame who had delivered Mr. Saving's letter to Mifs Betfy, and tarried her anfwer to him, coming up with a broom in her hand, in order to fweep her lady's A///jf Betsy Thoughtless. 13^ ladv's d re fling- room, ran into the chamber of M1T3 Bttly, and feeing that (ho was alone, " O Mifs !" faid riie, " there is the devil to do below.'* " I " heard a fad noife, indeed," faid fhe carelefly. '^ Why you muft know, Mifs," cried the maid, " that my lady had given John the butler warning, " and fo his time being up, Mrs. Prinks had or- ** dcrstopay him oft' this morning, but would have *' flopped thirty (hillings for a filvcr orange-ftrainer *' that is mifling. John would not allow it, and *' being in a paflion, told Mrs. Prhiks, that he *' would not leave thehoufe without his full wages, *' that for any thing he knew the ftrainer might " be gone after the diamond necklace. This I *' fuppofe (he repeated to my lady, and that put ** her in fo ill a humour this morning, that if mv *' mafter had not come down as he did, we (hould " all have had fomething at our heads. However," continued the wench, " fhe ordered Mrs. Prinks *' to give him his whole money ; but, would you •' believe it Mifs? My mafter was no fooner gone " out, than file came down into the kitchen rav- *' ing, and finding John there ftill, (the poor fcl- *' low, God knovv's, only ftaycd to tnkc his leave *' of us,) {he tore about, and fwore we fliould " all go ; accufed one of one thins, and another «« of another." '' Well, but what did the fel- *' Ijl^v mean about the Siamond rKcklace ?" cried Mifs Bctfy, interrupting her. *' I will tell you *' the whole fiory," faid (he, but you muft pro- ** mife never to fpeak a word of it to any body ; *' for though Ido not value the place, nor will ftay ** much longer ; yet they v/culd not give oiie a " cbaracflcr, ycu know, Mifs," Mifs Betfy then having afilired her, fhe would ne- ver menticn it, the ether fl:ut the door, zud went on in a very low voice, in this manner. Don't 1 34 Ihe HISTORY of ' Don't you remember, Mifs" faid fhe, < what a flurry my lady and Mrs. Prinks were in one day r • how her Jadylhip pulled ofFall her fine cloaths, and they both went out in a hackney coach 3 then- Mrs. Prinks came home, and went qut again ?' Yes,' replied MifsBctfy, I took notice they were both in a good dc.il of confufion.' . ' .Aye, Mifs, well they might,' laid Nanny \ ' that very after- noon John was gone to Tee a coufui that keeps a pawn- broker's (hop in Thieving- kiuc, and as he was fittirig in a little room behind the coun- ter, that it feems {huts in with glafs doors, who (liould he fee dirough the whidow,. but Mrs. Prinks come in j fhe brought my lady's diamond necklace, and pledged it for a hundred and twen- ty, or a hundred and thirty guineas, T am jiot fure which he told mc, for i have the faddeft memory j but it is no matter for that. John- was itrangely confounded, as you may think, but refolvcd to fee into the bottom, and when Mrs. Prinks was got in.to the coach, popped up'b, foltly fiipt into her lady's drcfling- room, and fell to' work iu cleaning it. Mifs Flora came up, exclaiming on the ill be- luvicui: of moft fervants, telling Mifs Betfy v/hat Mifs ]^ETSY Thoughtless. 135 a paffion her mamma had been in. The other made little anfwer to what (h^ faid on that or any other fcore, having her thoughts very much ta- ken up with the account juft given her by Nanny ; file recoiiv^cled that lady Mellafm had never dreflcd fince that day, always making fomc excufc to a- void paying any grand vifits, which ihc now doubt- ed not bat it was bccaufe flie had not her necklace. It very much amazed her, as (he well knew her ladylliip was never without a good deal of ready caili, therefore was certain the fum muft be large indeed, for which her friend was arretted, that it reduced her to the neccffity of applying to a pawn- broker, and who that friend could be for whom fhe would thus demean hcrfelf, puzzled her ex- tremely. It was not long, however, before (lie was let into the fecret, but in the mean time other matters of mere moment muft be treated on. CHAP. XVII. Is of up imp:rtance than the former .^ yet mu/i not be omitted, LADY Mellafm having vented her fplcen on thofe, who by their ftations were obliged to bear it, and the objec^t of it removed out of the houfc, became extremely chearful the remaining part of the day. The falhicn in which it might be fuppofed Mifs Betfy would be accofted by her tar- paulin enamorato, and the reception (he would give his paiTion, oecafioned a great ckal of merri- ment, and even Mr. Goodman, feeing his dear wife took part in it, w'ould fometiincs throw in hia joke» ^ WelJ, 136 "fhe HISTO R Y of '' Well, well," cried Mifs Betfy, to heighten the diverfion, '* what will you fay now, if I (liould *' take a fancy to the captain, fo far as to prefer *' him to any of thofe who think it worth their '* while to follicit me on the fcorc of love V* " This is quite ungenerous in you," cried Mifs Flora, " did you not promife to turn the captain '' over to me, when you had done with him/* — ^* That may not happen a great while," replied the other ; " for I affure you I have feen him three " or four times, when he has called here on bu- *' finefs to Mr. Goodman, and think to part with " a lover of his formidable afpeiSl: woidd be to dc- '' prive myfelf of the moft confpicuous of my " whole train of admirers ; but fuppofe," con- tinued (he, in the fame gay flrain, *' I reiign to " you Mr. Staple or Mr. Trueworth, would not «« that do as well P'' '' Do not put me in the head of either of them, I *' befcech you," faid Mifs Flora, '^ for fear I ihoul *' think too ferioufiy on the matter, and it ihouli •' not be in your power to oblige me." «' All that muft be left to chance," cried Mifs Bctfy : " but fo far I dare promife you, as to do *' enough tv) make them Jieartiiy weary of their " courtihip to me, and at liberty to make their ad- *' drefles el fe where." After this they fell Into fome conveifation con- cerning the merits of the two lad mentioned gen- tlemen : • they allowed Mr. Staple to have the finefl face, and that Mr. Trueworth was the beft fliaped, and had the moft graceful air in every thing he did : — Mr. Staple had an infinity of gaie- ty, both in his look and behaviour : Mr. True- worth had no Icfs of fwcetnefs, and if his deport- ment feemed fomevvhat too fcrious for a man of his years, it was well atoned for by the excellence" of his underHanding, —'—Mifs Flora bov/cver faid upon Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 137 Upon the whole, that both of them were charming men, and lady Mellafm added, that it was a great pity either of them fhould have bcftowed his heart where there was fo little likelihood of ever receiv- ing any recompence.— '* Why fo, my dear," cried Mr. Goodman, " if my pretty charge is at *' prefcnt in a humour to make as many fools as " fhe can in this world, I hope fhc is not detcr- ** mined to lead apes in another ; I warrant *' fhe will change her mind one time or other. *' I only wifh file may not, as the old faying is, '^ out ftand her market." While they were thus difcourfing, a fervant brought a letter from Mr. Staple, dirc<5^ed to Mifs Betfy Thoughilefs, which was immediately deliver- ed to her : on being told from whence it came, gave it to Mr. Goodman, faying, " I fhall make " no fccret of the contents, therefore, dear *' guardian, read it for the benefit of the com- " pany." Mr. Goodman fhook his head at the little fcn- fibility file tef^ificd of his friend's devoirs, but fuid nothing, being willing to gratify the curiofity he doubted not but they all were in, Mifs Bctfy Ix^rfelf not excepted, as carelefs as flic afFedted to be, which he did by reading in an audible voice thefe lines : To the mofl amiable and moft accompliflicd of her fex. * Madam^ * TF the face be the index of the mind, (as I think * A one of our bed poets takes upon him to af- * fert) your foul muft certainly be all made up of * harmony, and confequently take delight in what * has fo great a fimilitude of its own heavenly na- * ture. 1 flatter my felf, therefore, you will not « be 138 The HIST DRY of be offended that I prefume to intreat you will grace with your prcfencc, a piece of mufic, com- pofed by the (o juftly celebrated fignor Bonan- cini, and 1 liope will have juftice done it In the performance, — they being the beft hands in town that arc employed. * I do myfelf the honour to inclofc tickets for * the ladies of Mr. Goodman's family, and beg * leave to wait on you this afternoon, in the plea- *■ fing expectation, not only of being permitted to * attend you to the concert, but alfo of an oppor- ' tunity of renewing thofe humble and fmcerepro- ' fefTions I yefterday began to make, of a paflion, * which only charms fuch as yours could have the ' power of infpiring in any heart, and can be felt * by none with greater warnuJi, zeal, tcnderncfs, * and refpeft, than by that of him who is, and c- * ver mufl be, Madam, * Your moft pafiionate, ' And moft faithful admirer, * T. Staple. * P. S. If there are any other ladles of your ac- ' quaintance, to whom you think the entertain- ' ment may be agreeable, be pleafed to make ' the invitation, I fliall bring tickets with * me to accommodate whoever you choofe to ' accompany you. — Once more I befeech youy ' madam, to believe me as above, ' Yours, &c.' Mr. Goodman had fcarce finiflied reading this" letter, when lady Mellafin and her daughter both cried out, at the fame time, " O Mifs Betfy, — *' how unlucky this happens :— — what will you " do with the captain now I « We Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 139 *' We will take him with us to the concert,'* ** replied (he ; — — " and in my opinion nothing *' could have fallen out more fortunately.— The *' captain has appointed to vifit me at five, — " Mr. Staple will, doubtlefs, be here about that ** time, if not before, in oider to ufher us to the • entertainment, fo that my tar cannot ex{:e(5l any ' anfvvcr from me to his letter, and confequently •' Ifliall gain time." Though Mr. Goodman was far from approving this way of proceeding, yet he could not forbear fmiling with the reft, at Mifs Betfy's contrivance, and told her, it was a pity (lie was not a man, Cie would have made a rare miniftcr of (late. '' Well, fince it is fo," faid lady Meliafm, " I *' will have the honour of complimenting the cap- " tain with the ticket Mr. Staple intended for me.'* Botli Mifs Flora and Mifs Bctly prcfied her ladyfliip to be of their company, and Mr. Goodman like- wife endeavoured to perfwade her to go ; but fhe excufed herfelf, faying, " A concert was never a- " mong the number of thofe entertainments (he *' took pleafure in :*' on which they left off fpeak- ing any farther on it ; — but Mifs Betfy was not at a lofs in her own mind to guefs the true reafon of her kdyfhip's refufal, and looked on it as a confirma- tion of the truth of what Nanny had told her, con- cerning the diamond necklace. There feemed, notwithftanding, one difficulty flill remaining for Mifs Betfy to get over ; which was the probability of Mr. Trueworth's making her a vifit that afternoon ; — (he did not choofe to leave him to go to the concert, nor yet to afk him to ac- company them to it, becaufe fhe thought it would be eafy for a man of his penetration to difcover that Mr. Staple was his rival ; which (he was by no means willing he (hould ^o before he had made a "^v^claration to her of bis own paflion. aiic HP - The HISTORY of She was beginning to confider how fne fhould manage in a point, which flie looked upon as pret- ty delicate, when a letter from that gentleman cafed her cf all the apprehenfions ine at prefcnt had, on his fcore. — The manner m which heexpreflcd him- {qM was as follows : To Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. * T Remember (as what can .be forgot in which ' 1. you have the lead concern) that the firit time * I had the honour of feeing you at Oxford, you *■ Teemed to take a great deal of pleafure in the ' pretty tricks of a fquirrel, wliich a lady in the ' company had on her arm : — one of thofe animals ' (which they teii me has been lately catched) hap- * pening to fall in my way, I take the liberty of * prefenting him to you, intreatlng you will permit * him to give yo'J fiJch diverfion as is in his power. *-*' ——Were the little denizen of the woods endu- ' ed with any fhare of human reafon, how happy ' would he think himfelf in the lofs of his liberty, ' and how hug thofe chains which entitle him to fo * glorious a fcrvitude.' ' I had waited on Vsou in perfon, in the hope of * obtaining pardon for approaching you with fd ' trilling an oftering ; but am deprived of that fa- * tisfa6tion by the prefling commands of an old * aunt, who infifts on my palling this evening with ' her : — but what need is there to apologize for the * abfence of a perfon fo little known to you, and ' whofe fentiments are yet lefs fo ? I rather ought * to fear that the frequency of thofe vifits I fhall * hereafter make, may be looked upon as taking * too prefuming an advantage of the permifiion you ' have been fo good to give me. I will not, how- * ever, anticipate fo great a misfortune, but cndea- * vour jl///}' Betsy Thought Ltss. 141 * vour to prevent.it by proving, by all the ways I * ani able, tlut I am, * With the moft profound fubmiflion, ' MaJani, * Your very humble, obedicnC, ' And eternally devoted fcrvant, ' C. True WORTH.* Mifs Betfy, after having read t^.is letter, ordered the perfon who brought it (hould come into the par- lour ; on which he delivered to her the prefent men- tioned in the letter, which (he received with a great deal of fwectncfs, gave the fellow fomething to drink her health, and fcnt her fervicc to his mailer, with thanks, and an afl'urancc that (lie (hould be glad to fee him, whenever it fuitcd with his conve- nience. All the ladies then began to examine the fquir- rel, which was, doubtlefs, the mod beautiful creature of its kind, that could be purchafed : the chain, which faftcned it to its habitation, was gold, the links very thick, and curioufly wrought. Kvcry one admired the elegance of tlie donor's lafte. Mifs Bctfy hcrfelf was charmed to an cxcefs, both with the letter and the prefent ; but as much as (he was pleafcd with the refpecS^ful paflion of Mr. Truevvorth, fliC could not iind in her heart to think of parting with the i fiiduities of Mr. Staple, nor e- ven the blunt addreiTes of captain Hyfom, at leaft *till (he had exercifed all the power her beauty gave her over them. As the two laft mentioned gentlemen were the friends of Mr. Goodman, he went out fomcu'hat before the hour in wl.ldi either of them \vas txpecl- ed to come, chufuig not to feem to know what it * -was not in his power to amend, and djtermiried, as he had prc>mifed Mifs Bctfy, not to interfere be- tween ,42 The HISTORY of tween her and any of thofe who pretended to court her. Thefe two lovers came to the door at the fame time, and Mr. Staple faying to the footman that opened the door, that he was come to wait on Mifs Betfy. «' I want to fpeak with that young *'' gentlewoman too,*' cried* the captain, " if *' {he be at leifurc ; tell her my name is " Hyfom." Mr. Staple was immediately fhewed up into the dining-room, and the captain in the parlour, 'till Mifs Betfy fhould be told his name: " That fpark," faid he to himfelf, " I find is known here, I fuppofe *' he is one of thofe Mr. Goodman told me of, *' that has a mind to Mifs Betfy ; but as fhe knew *' I was to be here, I think fne might have left fome ** orders concerning me, and not made me wait " till that young; gew-gaw had fpoke his mind to « her." The fellow not coming dov/n immediately, he grew very angry, and began to call and knock with his cane againft the floor, which, it may be eafily imagined, gave fome fport to thofe above. Mifs Betfy, however, having told Mr. Staple the charadler of the man, and the diverfion fhe intend- ed to make of bis pretcnfions, would not vex him too much, and to atone for having made him attend To long, went to the top of the ftairs herfelf, and defired him to walk up. Tlie reception fhe gave him was full of all the fweetnefs fhe could afllime, and excufed having made him wait, and laid the blame on the fervant, who, fhe pretended, could not preil-ntly recollect his name : this put him into an exceeding good humour, ': Nay, fair lady," faid he, " as to that *' I liave ftayed much longer fomctimes, before I " could get to the fpecch of fome people, who 1 " have A/?/; Betsy Thoughtless. 14.3 *^ have not half the refpeil for as I have for you ; <« but you knovi^," continued he, giving her a kifs, the fmack of which might be heard three rooms off, " that 1 havebufinefs v/ith you, *' bufmefs that requires difpatch, and that made me <' a little impatient." All the company had much ado to refrain laugh- ing out-right, but Mifs Betfy kept her countenance to a miracle, '^ We will talk of bufinefs another *' time," faid (he, " we are going to hear a fine " entertainment of mufick ; you muft not re- " fufe giving us your company, lady Mellafm " has got a ticket on purpofe for you. " I am '' very much obliged to her ladyfhip," replied the captain, " but I do not know whether Mr. Good- " man may think well of it or not j for he would " fain have put me off from vifiting his charge <« here. 1 foon found by his way of fpeakingthe " wind did not fet fair for me from that quarter, Co " tacked about, fhifted my fails, and flood for *< the port direaiy." *' Manfully refolvcd, indeed !" faid Mr. Staple; *' but I hope, captain, you have kept a good iook- *' out, in order to avoid any {hip of greater bur- *' then, that might elfe chance to overfet you."— '* Oh, Sir ! as to that," replied the captain, '* you " might have fpared yourfelf the trouble of giving " me this caution, there are only two fmall pinks *' in my way, and they had beft ftand clear, or I *•' (hall run foul of them." Though Mr. Staple had been apprized before- hand of the capt.u)i's pretences, and that Mifs Betfy intended to encourage them only by way of amufe- ment toherfelf and friends, yet the rough manner in which his rival had uttered thefe words, brought the blood into his cheeks, which lady MelJafin perceiv- ing, and fearing thj.t what was began in jefl might in ihe end become more ferious than could be wifhed, turned 144 7^^^? HISTORY of. turned the converfation, and addrefling herfelfto the captain, on the fcore of what he had faid con- cerning Mr. Goodman, made many apologies for her husband's behaviour in this point : affured him, that he had not a more fnicere friend in the world, nor one who would be more ready to fervc him, in whatever Was m his power. The captain had a fund of great good- nature in kis lieart, but \vas fomewhat too much addicfted to paflion, and frequently apt to refent without a .caufe, but when once convinced he had been in the wrong, no one could be moreieady to acknowledge and ask paidon for his miilake : — — he had been .bred at fca ; — ^ — his converfation, for almoft his whole life, had been, chiefly among thofc of his own occupation j he was altogether unacquain- ted with the manners and behaviour of the polite .world, and equally a Granger to what is called gen- teel raillery, as he was to courtly complaifance ; it is not, therefore, to be wondered at, that he was often rude, v/ithout defigning to be {o^ and took many things as affronts, which were not meant as fuch. Lady Mellafin, who never wanted words, and knew how to ex^refs herfelf in the mofl perfuafive terms, whenever flie pleafed to make ufe of them, had the addrcfs to convince the captain, that Mr. Goodman was- no enemy to his fuit, though he would not. appear to encourage it. \VhiIe the captain vn\% engaged with her ladyfhip m this dir<:o;rfc, Mifs Betfy look the opportunity of telling Mr. Staple tliat fne infifled upon it, that he fhouid be very civil to a rival from whofe pre- tenuons he might be certain he had nothing to ap- prehend, and moreover that when {he gave him her band to lead her into the concert- rocin, he fhouid give his to Mifs Flora, without difcovcring the kaft marks of dilconteiit : — -the lover looked on this Mifs Betsy Thcughtlcss. 14; this laft injunction as too fevere a trial of his pa- tience ; but (he would needs have it fo, and he was under a neceflity of obeying, or of fuf- fering much greater mortifioration from her dif- pleafure. Soon after this they all four went to the enter- tainment in Mr. Goodman's coach, which lady Mellafm had olered to begot ready. Th6 captain was mightily pleafed with the mufic, and had judgment enough in it to know it was better than the band he had on board his fhip ;■ *' When they have done playing," faid he, " I " will afk them what they will have to go with *' me the next voyage ;" but Mr. Staple told him, it would be an affront, that they were men who got more by their inftruments than the bed officer either by fea or land did by his commiliion.- This miftake, as well as inany others the captain fell into, made not only the company he was with, but thofe who fat near enough to hear him, a good deal of diverfion. Nothing of moment happening either here, or at Mr. Goodman'5, vi'hcre they all fupped together, it would be needlefs to repeat any particulars of their converfation ; what has been faid already of their dif- ferent fentiments and behaviour, may be a fufficient fample of the whole. C ri A P. XVIII. Treats on no frejh matters^ but ferves to heighten thofe already 7ncntioned, MR. Goodman had flayed abroad 'till very late that night the concert had been performed, fo was not a witnefs of any thing that had palled af- ter the company came home ; but on lady Mella- VoL. I. ' H fin's 14^ fhe HISTORY cf fin's repeating to him every thing fhe remembered, was very well pleafed to hear that {he had reconciled the captain to him, though extremely forry, that the blunt ill-judged afFe6lion of that gentleman had expofed him to the ridicule, not only of MifsBetfy, but ai fo of all her follov/ers. That young laJy, in the mean time, was far from having any commiferation for the anxieties of thofe who loved her ;■ on the contrary, fhc tri- umphed in the pains ihe gave, if it can be fuppo- fed that (he, who was altogether ignorant of them in herfelf, could look upon them as fincere in o- thers : —but I am apt to believe ladies of this caft, regard all the profeilions of love made to ihcm, (as indeed many of them arej only as words of courfe, the prerogative of youth and beauty in ihc one fcx, and a duty Incumbent on the other to pay ; they value themfclves on the number -and quality of their lovers, as they do upon the number and richnefs of their clothes, becaufe it makes them of conGdcration in the world, and never take the trouble of refle(S^ing how dear it may fomc- timcs coft thofe to whom they are indebted for in- dulL!;ing this vanity. I'hat this, at leail, was the motive which indu- ced Mifs Iktfy to treat her lovers in the manner fl:)e did, is evident to a demonftration, from every o- ther action of her life : fnc had a certain ioft- nefs in her difpofition, which rendered her incapa- ble of knowing the diflrefs of any one, without af- fording all tlie relief was in her power to give, and had fhe fooner been convinced of the reality of the woes of love, flic fooner haJ left off the am- bition of inflicting them, and perhaps have been brought to legard thofe who laboured under them, father with top much than tOo little compaflion; ' ' — ' but of this the reader will be able to judge «ii proceeding farther in th.ii hiOcry. There Af//i Be TSY Thoughtless. 147 There were now three gentlemen who all of tbcni addrefled this young lady on the moft honourable terms, yet did her giddy mind make no diftind^ion between the ferious palTion they had for her, and the idle gallantries (he received from thofe who ci- ther had no defign in making them, or fuch as tend- ed to her undoing. Impatient to hear in what fafliion Mr. Trueworth would declare himfclf, and imagining he would comft the next day, as he had made fo handfomc an apo- logy for not having waited on her the preceding one, file told Mr. Staple and captain Hyfom, ia order to prevent their coming, that flic w as engaged to pafs that whole afternoon, and evening, withr fome ladies of her acquaintance : neither the cap- tain nor Mr. Staple fufpe6^ed the truth of what The faid, hut the former was in too much hafle to kno\r fome iilue of liis fate to be quite contented with this delay. Mifs Ectfy was not deceived in her expccSlatf- ons ; ^foon after dinner was over, fhc v/as told Mr. Trueworth had fent to know if fhe wai at: home, and beg leave to wait upon her. ~ Ladr Mcllafin having a great deal of company that da/ in the dining-room, (he went into an adjacent one to receive him ; he was charmed at finding her alone, a happinefs he could not flatter himfelf with, on entering the houfe, as he was aflured by the number of footmen that he faw in the hall, that many vifitnnts were there before him : — ^ — this un- cxpcf^ed piece of good fortune, as he then thoui^rht it, efpecial'y as he found her playing with the fquir- ril he had fent to her the day bcfc/re, (o much elated him, tj):\t it brightened his whole afpef>, and gave a double fhare of vivacity to his eyes, '' May '* I hope your pardon, madam," faid he, " for *' prefuming to approach you with fo tiifling a prc- " fent, as that little creature?" < *' Oh, Mr, H 2 «' Trueworth!" .I4S ne H I STO R Y of *' Truevvorth !*' anfwered fhe, " I will not for- " give you if you fpeak flightly of my fquirriJ, " though I am indebted to you for the pleafure he '' gives me.—— 1 love him exceflively ! you *' could not have made mc a more obliging pre- *' fen^" " How, madam ! " cried he, *' I fliould be *' miferable, indeed, if 1 had nothing in my power " to ofier more worthy your acceptance than that " animal. — What think you, madam, of an ador- *' ing and paffionatcly devoted heart ? *' A heart !" rejoined (he, *' Oh dear, a heart *' may be a pretty thing for ought I know to tlie " contrary ; bx there is fuch an cnclofurc of flefli *^ and bone about it, that it is utterlj-impollible for *' one to fee into it, and confequently to know whe- *' ther one likes it or not." "' The heart, madam, in the fcnfe I mean,'* f^id he, " implies the foul, which being a fpirit " and invifible, can only be known by its cffeds : *< ^ — if the whole fervices of mine may render it *' on oblation, fuch as may obtain a gracious recep- " tion from the adorable Mifs Thoughtlefs, I {hall '' blefs the hour in which 1 iirft beheld her *' charms, as the moft fortunate one I ever had to *^ boall of." In ending thefe words he kifled her hano, with a look full of the greateft refpe6l and tenderntfs. Siie then told him, the fervices of the foul muft needs be valuable, bccaufe they were lincere j but liS {he knew not .of what nature thoi'e fervices were he inten-ded to render her, he mu{l cxcufe her for jiot {o readily accepting them : on which, it is not to be doubted, but that hcafTured her, they ihould be only fuch as were di61atcd by the moil ^ure afFe<5tioD, and accompanied by the {lri£left houQur. Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 149^ He was going on with fuch proteftations as may be imagined a man fo much enamoured would make to the obje£t of his wifties, when he was interrupt- ed by Mifs Flora, who came haftiiy into the room, and told him, that her mamma hearing that he was in the houfe, expected he would not leave it with- out letting her have the pleature of feeing him : that they were juft going to tea, and that her lady- fhip intreated he would join company with ihofe friend* (he had already with her. Mr. Trueworth would have been glad to h:.vc found fomc plaufible pretence for not comp'v' ing with this invitation, but as he could w^t m?ke any, that would not he looked on as favouring of ill manners, and Mif:> Betfy infifting en 1 i, going, they all went together into the din!r.<:- room. The lover had now no farther opportunity Ok profecuting his fuit in this vifit ; but he m:i c ano- ther the next day, more early thu/n before, and found no-body but Mr. Goodman with Mifs Betfy, Tadr Mellafm and Mifs Flora being gone amojig the liiops, either to buy fonicihing they wanted, or to tumble over goods, as they frequently did, meerlv for the fake of feeing new hifliions. Mr. 'Frue- worth having never been feen by Mr. Goodman, Mifs Betfy prefented him to him with thefe words, '*' Sir, this is a gentleman from Oxford, an '' intimate friend of brother Frank's, and who did '* me the favour to bring me a letter from him.'* There needed no more to make Mr. GoodnKiiv know, both who he was and the bufniefs on which he came: he received, him with a great deal of good manners ; but knowing his abfcnce would he liioft agreeable, after fume few compliments, pre- tended he was called abroad by urgent buiincfs, and took Ills leave. H 3 Uow i50~ The HISTORY of How much it rejoiced the finccrcly devoted heart of Mr. 7'rueworth, to find himfelf once more alone with the idol of his wifhcs, may eafily be conceiv- ed by thofc who have had any experience of the painon he fo deeply felt ; but his felicity was of " a fliort continuance, and he profited but little by the complaifancc of Mr. Goodman. He was but jufl: beginning to pour forth fome part of thofe tender fentimcnts, with which his foul overflowed, when he was prevented from proceed- ing, by afccond interruption, much more difagrce- able than the former had been. Mr, Staple, and captain Hyfum, for wlicm MiGi Betfy had not left the lame ordert^ fhe had done tha day before, came both to vifit her : the former had the advantage in being there fomewhat fooner than tiie other, and accolkd her with an air, whicb made the enamoured heart of Mr. Trueworth im- mediately beat an alarm to jealoufy. Mr. Staple, v;ho had ktw him there once before, when he brought her brother's letter to her, did not prefent- \y know him for his rival, nor imagined he had any other intent in his vifits, than ta i>ay his compli- ments to the filler of his friend. . l^iiey were all three engaged in a converfation^ which had nothing particular in it, when Mifa Bctfy was told captain Hyfom defired to fpeak with her ; on which jfilie bid the fellow dcfire him to walk in. " He is in the back parlour, madam," replied Jie ; " I told him you had company, fo he defires V you v/ill come to him there ; for he fays he has *' great bufineG with you, and muft needs fpeak *« with you." Both Mifs Betfy and Mr. Staple iaughed immoderately at this mefTage ; but Mr. Trueworth, who was not in the fecret, looked a little grave, as not knowing what to think of it. " You would fcarce believe. Sir," faid Mr. Staple. .S9 hiiii, '* that this embaily came from the court " M//'} Betsy Thoughtless. 151 •^ of Cupid, yet I aiTure you the captain is one ot " this lady's moft paflionate admirers."— *' Yes, " indeed," added Mifs Betiy, '' and threatens ter- •' rible things to every one, who' {hould. dare to *« difputetheconqucfl: of my heart with him ; " but go,!' continued flie, to the footm.an, *' tell " him, I have friends with me v> horn 1 cannot be •' (o rude to leave, and that I infift on his giving us •' his company in this room." The captain on this was prevailed upon to coma in, though not very well pleafed at finding him- fclf obliged to do fb, by the pofitivc commands of his miftrefs. He paid his rcfpc^s, however, in bis blunt manner to the gentlemen, as well as iMifs Betfy, and having drawn his chair as near her as he could, *' I hoped, madam," faid he, " you would *' have found an opportunity of fpeaking to me *'• before now : — you mud: needs tliink I am a little •' uneafy till I know what I have to dcpci^d upon." -^'' Blefs mc, Sir," crie-d (he, *' you talk in an *' odd maiiner!"' — ajvd then, continued Ihc, poi!U-» ing to Mr. Trueworlh, " ihis gcn'ieman here, who *' is a friend of my brother's, will think,- I have '' out- run my income, and that you come to dun •' me for money borrowed of you." — '* No, no," aiifwercd he, '' as to that you owe mc nothing but *' good-will, — and that I think I deferve for' t'.i^; " refpetSl 1 have for you, if it were for nothing, •' clfe j but, madam, I fhould be glad to know "*' fome anfwer to the bufmefs I wrote to you up- t« on." — Lord, Sir !" replied fhe, " I have not «' yet had time to think upon it, — much kfs to *' refolve on any thing." — " That is ftrange," re- turned he, '' why you have had three days, and furc " that is longenoKghto think and rcfolve too, 00 ** any thing. ^—" Not for me indeed, captain, an- •' iweied flie, laughing ; — but come, here are juit H 4 " fou5 752 r/:^— -therefore I fhould " think itb better for bothof us not to ftand fhiily,. " fhally ; but come to the point at once ; for '' lookye, fair i'ady,.if we happen to agree, there ** will be little enough time to fetde every thing, *' as I am obliged to go fo foon."— >" Too little In *' my opinion. Sir," anfwered fae, " therefore " I think it is beft to defer talking any more of the *' matter, 'till you come back." " Come back, "cried he, " why do you confi- *« der I ihall be gone three years."—*' Really, ^' Sir," faid fhej " as I told you before I have ne- Mlfs Betsy Tho-uchtless. r;^' ** ver confidered anything abou tit, nor can pro- "■ mife I {hould be able to fay any more to you at *' the end of twice the time you mention, than I *■* can do at prefent, which I afTure you is jud na- '« thing at all." Though both. Mr. Trueworth, and Mr. Staple, bad too much good manners to do any thing that might affront the captain, yet neither of them cou'd ie(train their laughter fo well as to prevent fome marks of the inclination they had for it, from being vifible in their faces j and willing to contribute fomcthing on their parts to the di\'erfion they p.r- ccived {he gave herfelf, with a lover {o every way unfuitableto her,— one told her, it was a great pity flic did not confult tiie captain's convenience 5 the other faid, that it muft needs be a vaft f .rigue for a gentleman, who was accaftomed onlv to walk the quarter deck, to take a ilrctch of four Uiiles at once ' — *' And all to no purpofe," cried he. that had fpoken firf}, " pray, madam, give him his difpatch.'* As little acquainted as the captain was with rail- lery, he had underftanding en^r.igh to make him fee, that IVLfs Betfy's behaviour t > him had rendered him the jeft of all the company tint vifited her,- and this Ire took fo ill, that all the liking he before had to her was now turned into contempt. Finding they were going on in the ironical v/ay they had began, '* Lookye, gentlemen," faid he, with a pretty flern countenance, " I would advife ycu *' to meddle only with fuch things as concern your- feives J you have nothing to do with me, nor I with you. .If your errand here he as I fufpe£l it is, there fits one v/ho I dareanfwcr will find you employment enough, a? long as yon (hall think it worth your while to dance atten- d.;nce. As for you, Madam," continued he, turning to Mifs Betfy, " T think it would havche- \' corns you a3 v/cll, to have given me a more civ^l ii 5 '' aiilvve;, (« (; f5i: T^e IT I S T O R T #/ *^ anfvvcr,— — if you did not approve of my pro- *' pofals, you might have told nic fo at firft ;- '' but I Ihall trouble neither you nor myfelf any *' farther about the iTiatter.' -—I fee how it is *' well enough, and when next I fteer for the coaft '^ of matrimony, fhall take care to look cut for a *' port not cumbered with rubbifh ; ' ■■ fo your '' fervant." As lie V/2S going out of the houfe, he met lady Mellafinand Mifs Flora juft entering, being return- ed from the ramble above-mentioned : they law he was very angry, and would fain have pcr- fuaded him to turn back, telling him, that if any mifunderllanding had happened between him and Mifs Betfy, they would endeavour to make it up, and reconcile them. — To which he replied^ that he thanked them for their love, but he had done with Mifs Eetfyforgood and all; that fhe was- no better than a young flirt, and did not know how to ufc a gentleman handfomely ; faid, he fliould be glad to take a bowl of punch with Mr. Gcodman before he went on his voyage j but vvould- iiot come any more to his houfe to be fcofFed at by Mifs Betfy, and thofe that came after her. Mifs Flora told him, that it was unjuft in him to deprive her mamma, and herfclf, of the pleafure of his good company for the fault of Mifs Betfy, v/ho, fhe faid, fl'^e could not help owning was of a very giddy temper. Lady Mellafin, to what 1-ier daughter had faid, added many obliging things^ 341 order to prevail on him, either to return, or re- new his vifits hereafter ; but the captain was obfti- natCjand perfifting in his refolution of coming there- to more, took his leave, and Mifs Flora loft all. hope of receiving any benefit from his being rej(.6t- «d by Mifs Bel fy. CHAFo Mlfs Betsy THOUGFtTXEss. 15 5j- C H A P. XTX. Will make the reader little the wifer, TH E greatefl part of the time, that Mr. True- worth and Mr. Staple ftayed with Mifs Bet- fy, v/as taken up with talking of captain Hyfom ;— his paflion, — his behaviour, and the manner in which he received his difmiffion, afforded indeed an ample field for converfation : lady Mellaftn, and Mifs Flora relating the anfvvcrs he had given thcniy on their prefling him to come back, Mr. True- worth faid, that it mud be owned, that he had (hewn a ftrcngth of refoluiion, which few men irr love could boaft of. *' Love, Sir, according to my notions of that *' paflion,'* replied Mr. Staple, *' is not to be felt *• by every heart ; many deceive themfelvcs *' in this point, and take for it what is in reality no •' more than a bare liking of a beautiful object :--- " the captain feems to me to have a foul, as well '^ as form, cad in too rough a mouldy to be capa- *^' ble of thofc refined and delicate ideas, which ** alone conflitute and are worthy to be called « love,'' " Yet," faid lady Mellafin, « I have heard *• Mr. Goodman give him an excellent charader,. *' and above all that he is one of the beft-natured *' men breathing." ^*' That may beindecdy '' madam," refumed Mr. Staple, " and fome al- ** lowances ought to be made for the manner ia *•' which he has been bred ; though," added he, *' I have known many commanders, uot only ot" *' Indiamcn, but of other tra.':ing vefTels, who have **^ all their life tiate ufed th^: feas, yet have knov/x> « IlO'^- 156 ne HISTORY sf •* how to behave with politenefs enough when oft'. ^« (hore." Mr. Trucwprth agreed with Mr. Staple, that though tiie amorous declaration of a perlbn of the taptain's-age, and fafhion of bringing up, to one of IVdifs Betfy's, expofcd him to the dcferved ridicule of as .many as knew it -, yet ought not his parti- cular foible to be any reflexion on his occupation, which merited to be held in the grcateft veneration, -as the flrength and opulence of the nation was owing to its commerce in foreign parts. This was highly obliging to Mr. Staple, whofe father had been a merchant, and Mr. Trueworth being the firft who took Iiis leave, perceiving the other flayed fupper, he faid abundance of handfome things in his praife, and feemed to have conceived ib high an efteera of him, that Mifs Betfy was di- verted in her mind to think how he Vv'ould change ]jis way of fpeaking, when once the fecret of his jivalfhip fhould come out, as (he knew it could not fail to do in a fhort time. But as eafy as Mr. Staple was at prefent, on this occafion, Mr. Trueworth was no lefs anxious and perplexed : he was convinced that the other vi- fited Mils Betfy on no other fcore than that of love, iindit appeared to him equally certain, by the free- dom with Vv'hich he faw him treated in the family, that he was likewife greatly encouraged,, if not by Mifs Betfy herfelf, at leaft by her guardian. His thoughts were now wholly taken up with the means, by which he might gain the advantage over a rival, whom he looked upon as a formida- "ble one, not only for his perfonal accomplifhments, but alfo for his having the good fortune to addrefs her before himfelf. All he could do wtis to pre- vent, as much as poffible, all opportunities of bis entertaining Mifs Betfy in private, till the arriv^Lof JAr. Francis Thoughtlefsj from wiiofe friendfliip. A///} Betsy Thoughtless. 15.7 and the influence he had over his fiftcr, he hoped much. He waited on hec the next day very early: — Mr. Goodman happening to dine that day lat^r :han ordinary, on account of fome frienJs he had with him, and the cloth not being drawn, Mifs Beify went and received him in anotiicr room.^ Having this favourable opportunity, he immediately began to prepare for putting into execution one of thofe ftratagems he had contrived for feparating her from Mr. Staple. After fome few tender fpecches, he fell into a difcourfe concerning the weather ; faid, he was forry to perceive the days (o much ihortned, — that fummer would f Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. i6i notes, that (he made him fing them feveral times over, and afterwards fet them down in her mufic- book, to the end that flie might get them by heart, and join her voice in concert with her fpinet. Mr. Trucworth would not make his morning vifit too long, believing it might be her time to dYefs againft dinner, as fhc was now in fuch a defha- billc as ladies ufually put on, on their firft rifing ; ' fo after having received a fecond promifefrom h«r of giving him her company that day abroad, took his leave, highly fatisficd with the progrcfs he imagined he had made in her good graces. The wind happening to grow a little boifterous, though the weather otherwife was fair and clear, made Mr. Trueworth think a land journey would be more agreeable to the ladies, than to venture themfelves upon the water ; he therefore procured a handfome livery coach, and attended by his two fervants, went to Mr. Goodman's : the ladies were already in expe(5tation of him, and did not make him wait a moment. Nothing extraordinary happening at this enter- tainment, nor at thofe others, v/hich, for feveral fuc- ceedingdays without intermiffion Mr. TruewortU prevailed on his miftreis to accept, it would be fu- pGifluous to trouble the reader with the particulars of them. Mr. Staple all this time was very uneafy ; he had not feen Mifs Betfy for a whole Week, and though he knew not as yet, that he was deprived of that fatisfadion, by her being engroffcd by a ri- val, yet he now began to be fenfible {l:ie had lefs regard for him, than he had flattered himfelf he had infpired her with j and this of itfelf was a fufficient mortification to a young gentleman, vvho was not only paflionately in love, but alfo could not, with- out being guilty of great injuftice to his own me* «its,^ bu.t think himieif not altogether unworthy of fuccccding.. i6t The HISTORY cf njcceeding.— ►This however was ho more than a flight fample of the inquietudes which the blind- god fometimcs infli<5ls on hearts devoted to him, as will kereafter appear in the progrel^ oi thi& hiPiorv. C H A P. XX. Contains an odd accident^ which happended to MifS- Betfy in the cloiftcrs of TVeftmifiJler-abbey, MR. Trueworth, who was yet far from being acquainted with the temper of the objetSt he adored, now thought he had no reafon to defpait' of being one day in pofTeffionofall he aimed to ob- tain J it feemed certain to him, at leaft, that he had nothing to apprehend from the pretenfion* of a rival, who at firft he had looked upon as { that men of -an amorous complexion want only an opportunity tofliew thofe inclinations which indolence, or per- haps indelicacy, prevents thvm from attempting to gratify by afTiduities, and courtOiip. After having taken feme little time to confidcr what fhe fhcuid fav, Pje replied, that fhe was in*- finitely obliged to his lordfliip for the care he tcck of her, but might be very well amazed to hear ihofe geiUlemen had any ill' defigns upon her, tv.-o of whom were perfect Grangers to her, and the other often vifited at the houfc where ihe was boarded. As i68 ne HISTORY^/ As for the fending for a coach, fhc faid it was by her own defire, if no chair could be procured ^ and added, that if his lordfhip had no other rea- fon to apprehend any ill was meant to her, fhe could not, without injuftice, forbear to clear up the miftake. Lord ■ was a little confounded at thefc words, but foon recovering himfelf, told her, that fhe knew not the real charader of the perfons flie had been wiih ; that Bloomacre was one of the greateft libertines in the world y that though fhe might agree to have a coach fent for, file could not be fure to what place it might carry her, and that he heard two of them, while the third was entertaining her, fpeak to each other in a man- ner which convinced him the moft villainous contri- vance Was about to be praflifed on her. A loud knocking at the door now interrupted their difcourfe ; both his lordfhip and his filler feemed terribly alarmed, -air the fervants were called, and charge given not to open the door upon any account, to bar up the lower^ windows, and to give anfwers from thofe above, to v/hoever was there. The knocking continued with greater violence than it began, and Mifs Betfy heard the gentlemen's voices talking to the fervants, and hough fhe could not diftinguifh what they faid, tound there were very high words between them. My lord's fifter ran into the hall to liftcn, then came back, crying, " O what terrible oaths ! liould think no more of it ; on which Mr. Bloomacre took his leave. Though the bifliop had not mentioned tlie name of lord to Mr. Bloomacre, as tlie pcrf^n who had brought this complaint againfl him, yet lie was very certain, by all circumdances, that he could be indebted to no other for fuel) a piece of low malice ; and this, joined to foipc other pro- vocations he had received from the ill-will of that jiobleman, made him rcfolve to do himfelf juf- tice. He went dire£lly from the deanery in fcarch of the two gentlemen, who had been with him in the abbey when he happened to meet Mifs Betfy, and having found them botii, they went to a tavern together, in order to confult on what was proper to bdone, for the chaftifement of lord 's folly and ill- nature, I 3 . Both J 74 Ihe HISTORY of Both of them agreed with Mr. Bloomacre, that he ou^iht to demand that fatisfadion, which every geiulcman has a right to expert from any one who has injured liim, of what degree foevcr he be, ex- ccpiing thofe of royal Wood. — Each of them was io eager to be his fccond in this afFair, that they were obliged to draw lots for the determination of the choice ; — he who had the ill-luck, as he called it, to draw the ihortell: cut, would needs oblige them to let him be the bearer of the challenge, that h'j might at leaft have fome (hare in infiiding the puiiifhment, which the behaviour of that unworthy lord fo juflly merited. The challenge was wrote, — the place appointed for meeting was the field behind Montague houle ; but the gentleman w4)o carried it brought no an- fvver back, — his lordfnip telling him only that I^e would confider on the matter, and let Mr. Bloom- ?.cfe knov/ his intentions. Mr. Bloomacre as the principal, and the other as his fccond, were fo ctiragcd at this, that the latter refolved to go himfelf, and force a more ca- tegorical anfwer. — He did (o, and lord ■ hav- ing had time to confult his brother, and, as it is faid, fome other friends, told liim, he accepted the ciiallenge, and would be ready with his fecond at the time and place appointed in it. Mr. Bloomacre did not go home that whole day, therefore knev/ nothing of the mcflage had been left for him by Mr. Goodman, till it was too late to comply with it ; but this feeming remiffnefs in hrm, was not all that troubled the mind of that open and honeft-hearted guardian of Mifs Betfy.— Mr. True worth and Mr. Staple had both been at his houfe the day before :— the former on hearing bis miftrefs was abroad, left only his compliments, and went av/ay, though very much prefTed to come in by Mifs Flora, who feeing him through the. parlour- Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 175 parlour -window, ran to the door herfelf^ and in- treated he w^ould pafs the evening there ;— Mr^ Staple came the moment after, and met his rival coming down the fteps that led up to the door ;— - Mr. 'iVueworth Ikluted him in pafling with the u- fual complaifance, which the other returned in a very cool mannei, and knocked haftily at the door, " 1 imagine,'* faid he to the footman who opened it, " that Mifs Betfy is not at home, by that gen- " tleman's having fo early taken leave ; but I " would fpeak with Mr. Goodman if he be at " Icifure." He was then fliewed into the back parlour, which was the' room where Mr. Goodman generally rc- eeived thofe perfons who came to him upon bufi- nefs ;-— on beating who it was that aficed for him, he was a little furprifed, and dcfired he would walk up Oaiis J but Mr. Staple not knowing but thtFS might be company above, returned for anfv/er, that he had no more then a word or two to fay to him, and that muft be in private ; on which th« other immediately came down to him. This young lover having by accident been in- formed, not only that Mr. 7>ucworth made hl« addrelles to Mifs Betfy, but alfo that it w;is with him fhe had been engaged during all that time he had been deprived of feeing her, thought it proper to talk with Mr. Goodman, concerning this new obflacle to his wiflies :---that v.'orthy gentleman was extremely troubled to be queflioncd on an af- fair, on which he had given Mifs Betfy his word not to interfere, but finding himfelf very much pref- fed by a perfon whofe paiTion he had encouraged, and who was the fonof one with whom he had lived in a long friendfhip, he frankly confcfTcd to him, that Mr. Trueworth was indeed recommended to Mifs Betfy by her brother ; — told him, he was ibrry the thing had happened (oy but had nothing I 4 farther 176 rie HISTORY^/ farther to do with it j---that the young lady was at her own difpofal, as to the article of marriage \ — that he was ignorant how flie would determine, Jind that it muft be from hcrfelf alone he could learn vvliat it was he might cxpedl or hope. Mr, Staple received little fatisfa6iion from what Mr. Goodman had faid, but rcfolved to take his advice, and, if pofiible, bring Mifs Betfy to fome cclaircifement oi the fate he was to hope or fear. — Accordingly he came the next morning to vifit her : — a liberty he had never taken, nor would now, if he had not defpaired of finding her in an iiftcrnoon. She gave herfelfj however, no airs of refentmcnt on that account, but when he began to teflify his cifcontcnt concerning Mr. Trueworth, and the ap- prchenfions he had of his having gained the prefe- rence in her heart, though the lail: who had folli- cited that happinefs, fhe replied, in the mod hauglity tone, that (he was furprifcd at the free- dom he took with her ; that fhe v/as, and ever would be, miflrefs of her adiions and fcnti- ments, and no man had a right to pry into either ; and concluded with faying, that fne w^as forry the civilities (he had treated him with, fhould make )iim imagine he had a privilege of finding fault with thofe (he (hewed to others. It is not to be doubted but that he made ufe of all the arguments in his power to convince her, that a true and perfect pafTion was never unaccompa- nied v/ith jealous fears j— he acknowledged the me- 1 its of Mr. Trueworth; '* but," added he, "the *' more he is pofTefTed of, the more dangerous is " he to my hopes ;" — and then begged her to ccnfider the torments he had fufFered, while being f<.> long .deprived of her prefence, and knowing, at ihe fame time, a rival was blefTcd with it. Mif& IvUfs Betsy Thougp.tless. 177 Mifs Betfy was not at this time in a humour ci- ther to be perfuaded by the reafons, or foftened by the fubmiffions of her lover, and poor Mr. Sta- ple, after having urged all that love, wit, defi^air, and grief could didlate, was, obliged to depart more diiTatisfied than he came. In going out, he faw Mr. Goodman in the par- lour, Vv;ho gave him the good morning as he paficd j — '' A fad one it hns been to mc," anfwcred he, with fomewhat of horror in hi:> countenance ; *' but " I will not endure the rack, of many fuch. With thefe words he flung out of the houfe, in or- der to go about what pcrhsps the reader is not at a lofs to guefs at. C H A P. XXII. One duel hcgan^ and another fought in the fame mornings on Mifs Betfy^s account^ arc here n- lated^ ivlth the manner in which the different an- iogonijls behaved to cazb other, WE L L may the god of love be painted blind, --» thofe devoted to his influence arc fcKJuni capable of feeing things as they truly are i---ihe fmalleft favour elates them with imac^inary hopes, and the leaft coplnefs finks them into defpair j their joys,--- their griefs,-— their fears more frc- tjuemly fpring from ideal than efFed^ive caufea. — * Mr. Staple judged not, that Mifs Betfy refufed to cafe his jealous apprehenfions on the fcore of Mr. Trueworth, becaufe it was her natural temper to give pain to thofe that lo' ed her, but becaufe. {lie had really an affe£lion for that gentleman j— look- jng on. himfelf therefore as now abandoned to all hope, rage and revenge, took the whole pofreiTi^n I 5 of i^S T/^^ HISTORY of of his foul, and chafed away the fofter emotions thence. Having heard Mr. Trueworth fay he was lodged in Pall-Mall, he went to the Cocoa- Tree, and there informing himfelf of the particular houfc where his rival might be found, fat down and wrote- the following biilet : ToCharl£s Trueworth, Efq> *' Sir, " T> O T H our wiflies tend to the pofleflion of *' ±y one beautiful object; both cannot be " happy in the accomplifhment ; it isfitthere- *' fore the fword fhould decide the difference be- " tween us, and put an end to thofe pretenfions on " the one fide or the other, wliich it is not proba- ** ble either of us will otherwife recede from. — «• '' In confidence of your complying with tliis pro- " pofal, I fliall attend you in the Green-Park, be- *' tv/een the hours of feven and eight to-morrow *•' morning ;— — as the affair concerns only our- '* felves, 1 think it both needlefs and unjuft to en* *' gage any of our friends in it, fo £hail come alonC;^ *• aiid expert you will do the fame to, fir, ** Your humble fervant,. " T. Staple." ?vlr. Trueworth was at home, and, on receiving this, immediately, and without the lead hefita- tion, wrote, and fent back by the fame meffenger, the following anfvver^ »' S.r^ To T. Staple, Efq;, T HOUGH I cannot but think thedeclfi- on of fcur.fate ought to be left entiulv to- '*' tiic Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 179 ** the lady herfelf, to whom, whatever be the for- *' tune of the fword, it muft at Jaft be referred ; " yet as I cannot, without being guilty of injuflice *' to my own honour and pretcnfions, refufe you " the fatibfadion you require, fliall not fail to meet *' you at the time and place mentioned in yours, *' till when^ I am. Sir, " Your humble fervant, " C. True worth/' By the ftife of this letter it may be eafily per- ceived, that Mr. Trueworth was not very well pleafed with this combat, though the greatnefs of his courage and fpirit would not permit him to har- bour the leaft thought of avoiding it j yet what- ever his thoughts were on this occafion, he vifitcd Mifs Bctfy the fame day, and difcovcrcd no p:;iT of them in his countenance, his behaviour, on the •ontrary, was rather more fprightly than ufual ;-— he propofed to the two voung ladies to go on fome party of pleafure : Mifs Betfy anfwered, with her accuftomed freedom, that flic (hould like it very well ; but Mifs Flora, who had been for three or four days paft very fullen and ill-humoured, faid one minute (he would go, and the next that fhe would not, and gave herfelf fuch odd and capricious airs, that Mifs Betfy told her, flic believed her head was turned ; to which the other replied, tart- ly, that if the diftemper was catching, it would be no wonder fhe fhould be infe6lcd, having it al- ways (o near her. Mifs Betfy rc-plied, that fhe knew no greater proof of madneTs, than to punifli one's felf in the hope of mortifying another ; *« but thatfhall never be my cafe,'* continued (he,- •* as you will find," Then turning to Mr. Trueworth, " if you will accept of 'my company, «* without Mifs Flora," faid flie, laugb.ing, " we ** will take a walk into the park."— —It is not to be ,eo r>^f HISTORY ^/ be doubted, but that the lover gladly embraced this opportunity of having his miftrefs to himfelf. *' 'Tis like Mifs Betfy Thoughtlefs," cried Mifs Flora, " and only like herfelf, to go abroad with *' a man alone." Mifs Betfy regarded not this reproach, but catching up her fan and gloves, gave Mr. Trueworth her hand to lead her v/here (lie had propofed, leaving the other fo full of fpite? that the tears guflied from her eyes. 'Tjs hkely the reader will be pretty much fur- priftd, that Mifs Flora, who had always feemed more ready than even Mifs Betfy herfelf, to accept of invitations of the fort Mr. Trueworth had made, fiiould nov/ all at once become fo averfe j but his curiofity for an explanation of this matter muft be for - while poflponed, others, for which he may be equally impatient, requiring to be firfl dif- cullcd. l"wo duels having been agreed upon to be fought on tlie fame m.orning, the refpeiSldue to the qua- lity ofloid , demands we fnould give tiiat whtrein he was concerned the preference in the re- petition. The hour appointed being arrived, lord — — and his brother came into the field,— -Mr, Bloom- acre and his friend appeared immediately after.- *' Ycu are the pcrfons," faid lord — , in an exulting tone, " who made the invitation, but we '^ areihefirft at tabic." " 'Tis not yet paft *' the time," replied Bloomacrc^ looking on his watch, but the later we come the more eargerly we fhall fall to. —In that inftant all their fwords were drawn ; but they had fcarce time to exchange (ine thruft before a pofTe of conftables, wiirh their sfiifbnts, armed with {laves and clubs, rufned in between them, beat down their weapons, and car- ried them all four to the houfe of the high-bailifFof Wtftmii,ftcr. ' That MifsBETSY Thoughtless. i8i That gentleman, by virtue of his oince, made a ftriil examination into what had pafTed, and hav- ing heard v/hat both parties had to fay, feverely reprimanded the one for having given the provoca- tion, and the other for the manner in which it was refented ; he told them, he had a right, in or- der to prefcrve the peace of Weftminfter, and the liberties of it, to demand, that they fl:iou]d find furetics for their future behaviour, but in regard to their quality and character, he would infift on no more than their ov/n word and honour, that the thing fhould be mutually forgot, and that nothing of the fame kind, which nov/ had been happily pre- vented, fhould hcrervfter be attempted. Lord fubmitted to this injun^^ion wnth a great deal of readinefs, and Mr. Bloomacre, fee- ing no other remedy, did the fame, after which the high-bailiff obliged them to embrace, in token of the fmcerity of their reconciliation. » Thus ended an afFair which had threatncd fuch terrible confcquences. -It made however a very- great noif:^, ai:d the difcourfe upon it was no way to the advantage of lord '*s characSier, cither for gcnerofity or courage. Let us now fee tl^ fcquel of the challenge fent by Mr. Staple to Mr. 7'ruevvorth. Thefc gentlemen met almoft at the fame time, in the place the challenger had appointed : few words fcrved to ufher in the execution of "tTie fatal purpofe ; Pvlr. Staple only faid, *' Come on. Sir, ** love is the word, and Mifs Betfy Thought- " -iefsbe the vidtor's prize." With thefe words h: drew Ms f'A'ord, Mr. Trueworth alfo drew his, and {landing on his defence, feeing the othtr .was about to puih, cried, " Hold, Sir I*-- ■ - " your better fortune may triumph over my life, /' but never make me yield up my prctenfions to- *' tliat amiable lady :— — if I fall, I die her mar- " tyr,. i82 The HISTORY of *' tyr, and wifli not to live but in the hope of ferv-- ^' ing her." Thefe words making Mr. Staple imagine, that his rival had indeed the greateft en- couragement to hope every thing, added to the fury he was before pofTeffed of, " Die then her martyr," faid he, and running upon him with more force than /kill, received a flight wound in his own breaft, while aiming at the other's heart. It would be needlefs to mention all the particulars of this combat, I fliall only fay, that the too great eagernefs of Mr. Staple gave the other an ad- vantage over him, which muft have been fatal to him from a lefs generous enemy ; but the tempe- rate Mr. Trueworth feemed to take an equal care to avoid hurting his rival, as to avoid being hurt by hi in ; feeing, however, that he was about to make a furious pudi at him, he ran in betv/een, clofed with him, and Mr. Staple's foot happening to flip, he fell at full length upon the earth, his fvvord at the fame time dropped out of his hand, which Mr. Trueworth took up. " The vidory *' is yours,'* cried he, '^ take alfo my life, for I " difdain to keep it." '« No," 'replied Mr. Trueworth, " I equally difdain to take an advantage, ** which meer chance has given me :-^ — rife, Sir, *' and let us iinifli the difpute betv/een us, as bc'- *' come men of honour."^ With thefe words he returned him his fvvord. ' " I fhould be unwor-- " thy to be ranked among that number," faid Mr.- Staple, on receiving it, " to employ this weapon " againft the breaft, whofc generofity ieftorcd it, ** were any thing but Mifs Betfy at ILike ; ■ •' but v/hat is life ! what is even honou! , with- *' out the hope of her 1 1 therefore accept your " noble offer, and death or coiiqucft he my lot !" They renewed tlje engagement with crrcater violence than before : after fevcral pafies, all Mr. Trueworth's dexterity '^could not hinder him from- Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. iS^ from receiving a wound on his left fide, but he gav& ihe other, at the fame time, fo deep a one in his right arm, that it deprived him, in an inftant, of the power of continuing the fight ; on which Mr. Trueworth dropping the point of his fword, ran to- him, " I am forry, Sir," faid he, *' for the acci- *' dent has happened j 1 fee you are much hurt, *' ■ permit me to afTift you as well as I am *' able, and attend you where proper care may be *' taken of you." " I do not deferve this good- *' nefs," anfwered Mr. Staple, " but it is the '' will of heaven that you fliould vanquifli every " way."^ Mr. Trueworth then feeing the blood run quite down upon his hand, ft ripped up the flceve, and bound the v/ound from which it ifTued, as tight as he could with his handkerchief, after which they went together to an eminent furgeon near Piccadil- ly. On examination of his wounds, neither that in his arm, nor in his breafl, appeared to be at all dangerous, the flefli being only pierced, and no ar- tery or tendon touched. Mr. Trueworth fcem- ed only affiduous in his cares for the hurts he had given his rival without mentioning the leaft word of that, which he had received himfelf, 'till an el- derly gentleman, who happened to be with the fur- geon when they came in, and had all the time been prefent, perceiving fome blood upon the fide of his coat, a little above the hip, cried out, " Sir, " you negletSl yourfelf.— -I fear ycu have not e- " fcapcd unhurt."^ A trifle,!' faid Mr, True- worth, '* a meer fcratch, I believe:— 'tis time " enough to think of that." Nor would he fuf- fer the furgeon, though he bled very fa{>, to come near him, 'till he had dene with Mr. Staple. It was, indeed, but a flight wound, winch Mr. Trueworih had received, though happenin^among a knot of veins, occafioncd the effufion ol a pret- ty I Si. Ihe HISTORY cf fy den) of blood ; for the ftoppage of which ihz furgeon applied an immediate remedy, and told hirfi, that it required little for a cure befides keeping it from air. Mr. Staple, who had been deeply aiFc6led with the concern this generous enemy I'lad c^^prefTed fpr him, was equally rejoiced at hearing the wound he had given him would be attended with no bad coi;)- fcqucnces. Every thing that was needful being done for both, the old gentleman prevailed uppii them to go with him to a tavern a few doors ofF, having firft obtained the furgcon^s leave, who told him, a glafs or two of wine could be of no preju- dice to either. This good-natured gentleman, v/ho was called Mr. Chatfree^ ufed to come frequently to Mr. Goodman's hoiife, had fome knowledge of Mr. Sta- ple, and though he was wholly unacquainted with Mr, Truev/oith, conceived fo great an efteem for him, from his behaviour towards the perfon he had fought v/ith, that he thought he could not do a more meritorious aiSiion, than to reconcile to each other tw^o fuch Worthy perfons. ^^What effect ' his endeavours, or rather their own noblenefs of fcntiments produced, Ihall prefently be fliewn. C H A P. XXIII. j^mong other things neceffary to he iold^ gives an ac' count of the fuccefs of a plot laid by Mr, Chat- free, for the difcovery of Mifs Beifys real in- clinatiom* '^ HOUGH Mr. Goodman had as yet no in- jL timation of the accidents of that moruing^. .yet was he extremely uneafy 5 — the looks, as well as words of Mr. Staple, in gcing out of his houfe the l^lifs Be tsy Thought less. 1^5 the clay before, were continually in his mind, and he could not forbear apprehending feme fatal confe- quencc would, one time or other, attend the levi- ty of Mifs Bctf3''s behaviour and conduct, in re- gard to her admirers : he was alfo both furpriz^d and vexed, that Mr. Bloomacre, from whom he expeded an explanation of the Weilminfter-abybey adventure, had not come according to his requeft. This laft motive of his difquiet was, hovvevcr, Toon removed : Mr. Bloomacre was no lefs impati- ent to clear Ijimfelf of all blame concerning the tranfadlions of that night, had no fconcr finifned h.is affair with lord •—— -, and was cifmilTed by the high-bailiff, than he came directly to Mr. Good- man's, and recited to him, and all the ladies, the whole of what had paffed. Mifs Betfy laughed prodigioufly, but Mr. Good- man fliook his head, on hearing the particulars re- lated by Mr. Bloomacre^ and, after that gentleman was gone, reproved, as he thought it h;s duty Xo do, the inconfideratenefs of her conduct ; ■ he told her, that as (he was alone, (he ought to have left the abbey as Toon as divine fervice was ended ; — that for a perfon of her fcx, age, and appearance, to walk in a place where there were aUvays a great concourfe of young fparks, who come for no other purpofe than to make remarks upon the ladies, could not but be looked on as very odd by all who faw her. '' There was no rain," faid he, " till a " long time after the fervice was ended, and you '* might then, in all probability, have got a chair ; *' or, if not, the walk over the park could not *' have been a very great fatigue." Mifs Betfy blufhed extremely, not through a confclous fliame of imagining what fhe had done deferved the Icaff rebuke, but becaufe her fpirit, yet unbroke, could not bear controul :■ fhe replied, that as (he meant no iil^ thofc who cenfured her were i86 rhHlSTORYcf were moft in fault. " That is very true," an- fwercd Mr. Goodman ; but, my dear child, you " cannot but know it is a fault which too many *' in the world are guilty of.— I doubt not of " your innocence, but would have you confider, " that reputation is alfo of fome value j — that the " honour of a young maid like you, is a flower *' of fo tender and delicate a nature, that the leaft *' breath of fcandal withers and deftroys it. In " fine, that it is not enough to be good, without " behaving in fuch a manner as fliall make others *' acknowledge us to be fo.'' Mifs Betfy had too much underftanding not to be fenfible what her guardian faid, on this occafi- on, was perfe611y juil: ; and alfo, that he had a right to offer his advice, whenever her condutSt ren- dered it neceflary, but could not help being vexed, that zny thing fl:ie did xhould be liable to ccnfure, r.s die thought it merited none : {lie made no further reply, however, to v»hat Mr. Goodman faid, though he continued his remonilrances, and probably v/ould have gone on yet longer, if not in- terrupted by the coming in of Mr. Chatfree.— • This gentleman having parted from the two wound- ed rivals came dire6lly to Mr. Goodman's, in order to fee how Mifs Betfy would receive the intelligence he had to bring her. After paying his compliments to Mr. Goodman, and the other ladies, he came towards Mifs Betfy, and looking on her with a more than ordinary ear- iieftnefs in his countenance, " Ah, madam !" faid he, " I fliall never hereafter fee you without re- " mcmbering what Cowley fays of a lady who *' might I fuppofe be like you : "■ So fatal, and withal fo fair, " We're told deftroying angels arc." Tliough Mifs Betfy was not at that time in a humour to have any great relifh for raillery, yst (ho. Afi-y} Betsy Thoughtless. 1S7 (he could not forbear replying to what this old gen- tleman faid, in the manner in which (he imagined he fpoke. '* You are, at leaft, paft the age of " being deftroyed by any weapons I carry about *' me/' cried fhe, " but pray what meaning *' have you in this terrible fimile ?" "My *' meaning is as terrible as the fimile," anfwered he 5 '^ and though I believe you to be very much the *' favourite of heaven, I know not how you will *' atone for the mifchief you have been the occa- '^ fion of this morning ; but it may be," con- tinued he, " you think it nothing that thofc mur- " dering eyes of yours have ftt two gentlemen a " fighting.;' Mifs Bet fy, fuppofing no other than that he had heard of the quarrel bctv/een Mr. Bloomacrc and lord , replied merrily? " Pray accufe my " eyes of no fuch thing, they arc very inno- " cent I aflure you." — " Yes," cried Mr. Good- man, and lady Mcllafin at the fame time, " v/ecan *' clear Mifs Betfy of this accufation." '' What ! " rejoined Mr. Chatfrec, haftily, *' was not Mr. Staple and Mr. Trueworth rivals *' for her love?" " Mr. Staple and Mr. True- ** worth," faid Mifs Betfy, in a good deal of conflernation, *' pray what of them ! " " Oh ! " the moft inveterate duel," anfwered he, *' they *' fought above half an hour, and poor Mr. Staple ** is dead of his wounds. " " Dead ! " cried Mifs Betfy, with a great fcream. lady Mef- lafin and Mifs Flora feemed very much alarm- ed ; but Mr. Goodman was ready to fink from hfs chair, 'till Mr. Chatfree,-unfeen by Mifs Betfy, winked upon him, in token that he was not inearn- cft in what he faid. The diftrac^ion in which this young lady now- appeared,- * the concern flie exprefled for Mr. Staple, and her indignation againft Mr. Trueworth,. wou]d i88 5^Z7^ H I S TO R Y ^/ would have made any one think the former had much ib.e preference in her cfteem, 'till Mr. Chat- free, after having liftened to her exclamations on tliis fcore, cried out on a fudden, *' Ah, madam, *' what a miilake has the confufion I was involved " in mad^ me guilty of. Alas ! I have deceived " yOu, though v/ithout defigning to do (o, ■— '* iVIr. Sta, Ic lives, -it is Mr. Trueworth who *' has fallen a facrifice to Iiis unfuccefsful pafTion for «; " Truev/orth dead !" cried MifsBetfy, O God ! and does his murderer live to triumph in " the fall of the bcft and rnofi: accompliflicd m^in *' on earth r ^Oh ! may all the mifeiies, that " heaven and fortune can inflidl:, light on him ! — *' Is he not fecured, Mr. Chatfree ?— Will he '* not be hanged ?" Mr. Chatfree could hold his countenance no jonfTCT, but "buriling into a violent fit of laughter, " Ah, Mifs Betfy ! -Mifs Betfy !" faid he, " I *' have caught you ? — — Mr. IVueworth I find " then is tlie happy man.' '■ " What do you *' mean Mr. Ciiatfree ? " cried Mifs Betfy very Jiiuch amazed.- " I beg your pardon," anfwer- cd he, " for the fright I have put you in ; but be *' comforted, for Mr. Trueworth is not dead I " affure you, and, I doubt not, lives as mwch '' your flave as ever."'— — ^' I do not care Wha:t '« he is, if he is not dead," fiid Mifs Betfy ; " but pray for what end did you invent this fine " ftory ? " ' " Nay, madam," refumed he, '^ it is not altogether my own inventing neither ; " for Mr. Trueworth and Mr. Staple have had a '' duel this morning, and both of them are wound- " ed, though not fo dangero.ufly as I pretended, *' mcerly to try, by the concern you would cx- '' prefs, which of them you wef6 moft inclined " to Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 1^9 *^ to favour, and I have done iti'falth, - *^ Mr. Trueworth is the man." Lady Mellafin, who had not fpoke during all this converfation, now cried out, " Aye, Mr. *' Chatfree, we fliall foon have a wedding, I be- *' Jieve." — " Believe^ madam," faid he, " why " your ladyfliip may fwear it ; — for my part I will not gi?e above a fortnight for the conclufion, — and I will venture to wifli the fair bride joy on the occafion, for he is a fine gentleman,' a very fine gentleman indeed, and I think fhe " could not have made a better choice." With thefe words he wiped his mouth, and advanced to Mifs Botfy, in order to falute her ; but pufliing him fcoriifully back, " None of your flights, good Mr. *' Chatfree," faid (he, *' if I thought you were •' in earneft, I would never fee the face of Mr, " Trueworth more." Tiiis did not hinder the pleafant old gentleman from continuing his raillery ; he plainly told Mifs Bctu' that fhe was in love, that he faw the marks of it upon her, and that it was in vain for her to deny it. Lady Mellafin laughed very heartily to fee the fret Mifs Betfy was in, at hearing Mr. Chatfree talk in this manner ; but Mifs Flora, to whom one would imagine this feene v/ould have been diverting enough, never opened her lips to ut- ter one fyllable ; but made fuch grimaces, as had they been taken notice of\ would have (hewn hov/ little fhe was pleafed with it. Mr. Goodman had been fo much firuck wiih the firft account given by Mr. ,Chatfree, that -he was not to be roufcd by any thing that gentlem.an faid afterwards ; he rcficclcd, that though the con- fequeilces^of .the rencounter between the two rivals had been Icfs fatal than he had been made to ima- gine, yet it might have happened, and indeed been naturally expected j he c^^uld. not therefore forbear interrupting igo The HISTORY of interrupting his friend's mirth, by remonftrating to Mifs Betfy, in the moft ferious terms, the great er- ror (he was guihy of, in encouraging a plurality of lovers at the fame time : he told her, that gen- tlemen of Mr. Trueworth's and Mr. Staple's cha- racler and fortune, ought not to be trifled with, *' Suppofe," faid he, '* that one or both of them <* had indeed been killed, how could you have an- ** fwered to yourfelf, or to the world, the having *' been the fad occafion ?" '* Lord, Sir," replied Mifs Betfy, walking up and down the room in a good deal of agitation, — *' v/hat would you have me do ? — I do not want *' the men to love me, — and if they will play the '' fool and fight, and kill one another, it is none of *« my fault." In fine, between Mr. Chatfree's raillery, and Mr. Goodman's admonitions, this poor young lady was teized beyond all patience, and finding it im- poffible to put a flop to either, fhe flew out of the room, ready to cry with vexation. She was no fooner gone, than Mr. Goodman took Mr. Chatfree into his clofet, and having learn- ed from him all the particulars of the late duel, and confjlted with him what was proper to be done to prevent any farther mifchief of the like fort, they went together to Mr. Staple's lodging, in order to ufe their utmofi: endeavours to prevail on that gen- tleman to defift the profecution of his addrefles to Mifs Betfy. C H A P. Afi/} Betsy Thoughtless. 191 CHAP. XXIV. Will fails fy the reader s curiofity in fame points, and increafe it in others* THOUGH Mr. Goodman, under whofc care, and in vvhofe houfe, Mifs Betfy had been for upwards of a year, knew much more of that young lady's humour and difpofition, than Mr. Chatfree, who faw her but feldom, could poffibly do, and could not be brought to think as he did, that the merits of Mr. Trueworth had made any eiFed^ual impreflion on her heart ; yet he imagined, that to propagate fuch an opinion in Mr. Staple would conduce very much to pcrfwade him to break ojF his courtfhip, which was a thing very mlch de- fircd by Mr. Goodman, as he was certain the con- tinuance of it would be attended with almofl infur- mountable difficulties, and create many vexations and difputes, when Mr. Francis Tiieughtlefs came to tovi'n. The two old gentlemen went on together, dif- courfing on this affair, 'till they came to the lodg- ings of Mr. Staple, where they found him fitting in an eafy chair, leaning on a table, with papers and a ftandifli before him ; — they perceived he had been writing, for the .pen was not out of his hand when they entered the room : — he threw it down, how- ever, as f^on as he faw them, and rofe to receive them with a great deal of politene/s, though accom- panied with an air, which, in fpite of his endeavours to concciil it, difcovcrcd he laboured under an ex- traordinary dejection of fpirits. '* I am glad," faid Mr, Chatfree, pointing to the pen, *• to fee you are able to n)ake ufe of that *' v/enpon, as I feared your arm had been too much '* prejudiced by another." — "I have found fome *' diiliculty. igz ne HISTORY cf *' difficulty, indeed, in doing it," replied tha wounded gentleman ; *^ but fomething. which feem- *' cd to me a cafe of necellity, obliged me to cx- *'' ert my utmoft eftorts for that purpofe." After the firft-civiiities were over,, and they were all feated, Mr. Goodman and Mr. Chatfree began to open the bufinefs upon which they came;- Mr. Goodman rcprefcnted to him, in the moft pathetic terms, the deep concern he had been in, for having ever encouraged his add relies to Mifs Betfy, and cxcufed himfeU' for having done fo, by his ignorance, at that time, that Mr. Trueworth had been previ- oufly recommended by her brother ; he then gave him fome hints, that the civilities Mifs Betfy had treated him with, he feared, were rather owing to that little vanity, which is^ generally the ccn»pa- uion ciiyouth and beauty, than to that real regard, v/nich his pafHon and perfon merited from her, and hkU he heartily wifhed to iee him withdrav/ his affections fro-m an obje6l, where he could not now flatter him with the leail hope of a fuitable re- turn. *' No, no," cried Mr. Chatfree, interrupting him hadily, *' you may take mv word, flie is as *^ much in love, as a girl of her temper can be, " with Mr. Trueworth, and I do not doubt but '' you will all fee the effeds of it, as foon as her *'• brother comes to town." Mr. Goodman, on this, took an'opportunity of telling Mr. Staple, that the afcendant that young gentleman had over his fi- ii?.i% and the zeal he exprefied for the intereft of his friend, would certainly go a great way in deter- mining the point; and added, that if it were true, ^.s hi'! frien-l {uggQ^iid^ that flic had really an inclina- tion tor'Mr.:TrucworJ.h, flic would tlicn avov/ it, and make a' merit of it to her brother, as if done merely in rcfraidtg him. ^ " - . Many M//i Betsy Thoughtless. 193 Many other arguments were urged by thefe two gentlemen, in order to convince Mr. Staple (f the little probability there was of fucce.-ding with Mifs Betfy, all which he liftened to attenti^^el), never in- terrupting v/hat either of them faid, *til! percc-iving they hi\d end?d alftbey had to ofFer on the fubjcd, he m::f-c t^em t'ris reply. " Gentlemen," faid he, " I am infinitely o- *' bliged to you both for this vifit, and the friend- *^ ly purpofe of it, which, I perceive, was to give. " me that advice, which you might reafonably '* think I wanted. 1 have heard, and I believe *' have not loH: one word, at leaft, I am fure no part of the meaning of what you have delivered : ■I own there is great juftice In every thino- «en making, or that he knqw any thing more of K ^ Mr, J96 TO^ HISTO R Y of Mr. Staple, than wliat fhe had been told herfelf tjf Mr. Chatfree, _^. In the mean time, tnis young lady affedled to appear more grave than ordinary : 1 fay, affect- ed to be fo ; for as fhe had been at firft (hocked by Mr. Chatfree's report, and afterwards teized by his raillery, and then reprimanded, on the fcorc of her condu(5t, by Mr. Goodman, fhe was not dif- pleafed in her heart at the dangerous proof, which the two lovers had given of their paflion. She loft, however, great part of the fatisfadion this adventure might have afforded her, for want of a proper perfon to whom fhe might have talked freely on it. — She had, indeed, many acquaintance, in fomeof whom fhe, doubtlefs, might have con- fided j but fhe did not choofe to be herfclf the re- porter of this ftory to any one, who had not heard of it from other hands ; and Mifs Flora, who knew the whole, and was her companion and bed-fellow, "Was grown of late fo fullcn and peevifh, as not to be capable of either giving or receiving any diver- .fion in difcourfes of that nature. It is certain, that there never was a more afto- iiifhing alteration in the temper of any one perfon in fo .{liort a time, than in that of Mifs Flora : — — her once gay and fpirituous behaviour, which, with- out being a beauty, rendered her extremely agree- able, was now become all dull and gloomy. Inftcad of being fond of a great deal of company, ihe now rather chofe to avoid than covet the focie- ty of any one ;---fhe faid but little, and when fhe fpoke, it was only to-contradidt whatever flie heard alledged by others ; — -a heavy melancholy, mixed with an ill-natured frown, perpetually lowered up- on her brow : — in fine, if fhe had been a little older, fhe might have fat for the pidure of Envy. -.— Mif? Betfy, by being moft with her, felt jnofl ith€ elleds of her bad humour j but as fhe thought Mifs Betsy Thought less^ 197 fhe could eafily account for it, the fwectnefs of her difpofition made her rather pity than refent the change. A young lirmcn draper, of whom lady Mellafm foiiie times bought things, had taken a great fancy to Mifs Flora, and not doubting but (he had a for- tune in feme meafure anfwerable to the appearance fhemade, got a friend to intercede with lady Mel- lafm, for leave to pay his refpedis to her daughter : -i — this being granted, he made feveral vifits at the houfe, and was very well received by Mifs Flora herfelf, as well as by thofe who had the difpo- fal of her, 'till coming on the topic of foitune, Mr. Goodman plainly told him, that having-, many relations of his own to provide for, the mofl he could fpare to Mifs Flora was five hundred pounds. -—The draper's palTion was \QTy much damped, on hearing his miftrefs's portion was like to be fo fmall j— he told Mr. Goodman, that though he was very much charmed with the perfon and be- haviour of the young lady, and fliould be proud of the honour of an alliance with fuch a familv, yet as he was a young man, and but lately fet up for himfelf, he wanted money to throw into trade, and could not think of marrying without more than three times the fum offered ;— he added, that a young lady of her birth, and bringing-up, would expert to live as ftie had been gjtrcuftomed, uhich he could no way prom ifc {be (ho u Id do, widiout a fortune fufficient to defray the expencc. Mr. Goodman thought the reafons he gave were very juft, and as he was unv/illing to ftretch his hand any farther than he had faid, and was too ho- ned to promife more than he intended to perform, replied with the fame freedom that the other had fpoke, that in truth he did not think Flora would make a fit wife for a tradefman ;-— that the girl was young enough, not ugly, and it was his opinion K 3 that <95 The HISTORY cf that {be fliould wait till a more fuitable match ihould ofter. In a word, Mr. Goodman's anfwer put a final end to the courtfhip, and though Mifs Flora affected to difdain the mercenary views, as [lie termed them, of the draper, and never fpoke ot him but with the utmoll: contempt, yet h^er melancholy coming on foon after he had defi{le4 Ills addrelTes, made Mifs Betfy think (he had rca- Ton to impute it to no other caufe ; and therefore^ in meer compaiTion to this imaginary mortiiicati- pn, was fo far from retorting any of thofe littl^ taunts, and malicious inuendos, with which fhewas continually treated by the other, that fhe took ail the pains fhe could to alleviate the vexation fhe faw her in, and footh her into a better hu- mour. The reader will probably think as Mifs Betfy did, but the falfity of this conje<£^ure, and the cruel return the good-nature of that young lady mej v/ith, will in due time and place appear. CHAP. XXV. Co^ntains feme poffhges, whicb, perhaps^ may hf ioakedupm as pretty extraordinary, A CCORDING to the common rule of hoi- JlSx nour among gentlemen, Mr. Trueworth had certainly heliaved fo, as not to have either that, or his good-nature called in queftion j but this was not enough to fatisfy him :--- lie could not be cafy under the rcflcdion, that the obligations he had conferred gave a painful gratitude to the re- ceiver. He was deeply afFeded with Mr. Staple's letter ; ---he doubted not but that gentleman in forcing himfelf to refi^a his pretenuons to Mifs Betfy, «iuft M//} Betsy Thoughtless. 199 muft fufFer theextremeft agonies ; and heartily com- miferating a cafe, which, had fortune (o decreed, might have been his own, immediately wrote to him in the following terms : To T. Staple, Efq; " Sir, *' T AM afhamed to find the little I liave done fo " X much over-rated, by a perfon, who, J am " certain, is capable of the grcateft things ; but '* fhould be involved in more confufion dill, (hould ** any confideration of me, or my happintfs, prc- " vail on you to become an enemy to your own. " — I am altogether unacquair.ted with what kind '* of fcntimcnts either of us is regarded by the fair ** object of our mutual wi{lies.---It is highly pro- ** bable her young heart may, as yet, be quite in- ** fenfible of thofe we have endeavoured to infpirc ** it with i-— for my own part, as I have yet no " reafon to defpair, fo I have had alio but litilj *' room for hope.-— You, Sir, liavcan equal cliancc-, '* for zny thing I know, or can boall: ut to the con- *' trary, and as you fav/ I rcfjfcd to hazard my •' prctenfions on the point of the fword, ncitlicr '' juPiice, nor honour, requires you fhould fur- *' feit yours, though an accident gave mc the '' advantage of you in the iicld 'Tis by Mi's *' Bctfy hcrfcif our fate is to be juJc!:ed.---*Ti3 " yet a moot- point whether cither will fucceed in *' the attempt of pleafrng her. \Vc mav, per- ** haps, contend for an airy expe<51ation, while ano- ** ther more fortunate fhall bear away the prize ** from both ; but if one of us is decreed to be *' the happy man, on which foevcr the lot fliail •* fall, he ought not to incur the hatred of the *« other. K 4 «' Iclidiy 2C0 The HISTORY of *' I gladly embrace the offer of your fricndfhip, ** and whatever is the fortune of our love, (hould " in tliat, as in all other events, endeavour to ^^ prove, that lam, ^' With an equal fmcerit)-, ''Sir, ** Your very much obliged, " And mod: humble lervant,, " C. Truevi^orth.'*' Mr. Staple read this letter many times over, but received not all the fatisfadion, which the author intended it fliould give him, although he acknow- ledged the generofity of his rival, yet he could not conceive there was a pcffibility for a man in love fo be cafy under the addreffes of another, u'ithout knovviiig himfelf fecure of not being prejudiced by them : Ij?, therefore, concluded that Mr. Chatfree was right in his conjc^lure, and that Mifs 3ktfy only waited for her brother's coming. to town to dccLre in favour of Mr. Trueworth. This gentleman had a great {hare of fpirit, and feme pride, and thefc making him difdain to pur- fue a fruiilefs aim, and fuffering himfeif to be pub- ]ickly overcome by Mr. Trueworth in love, as he l^aJ been in fight, very much contributed to enable hin to keep that refolution he had formed in the pjefcrxe of Mr. Goodman and Mr- Chatfrec. He ivnfvvertd M-r. Trueworth's letter, however,- with the utmoPc complaifance, but w^ithout letting him know any part of his intentions, in relation' fo Mifs Betfy, fearing left any further conteft on ihis iiflaij mig'it draw from that gentleman frefh proofs cf a gciierofity, tow^hich, already, he look- ed upon himfeif as too much obliged. Mifs Betfy little fufpeiSiing what had paiTed be- ^vv cen her too lovers, fince their meeting in the G-rcen park, received Mr. Trueworth, -when he came Mifs Betsy Thoughtles?. 201 came to vifit her the fame day, as ufual, with a great deal of good humour. She took not any notice that fhe had heard of the duel, imagining, that he would himfelf inform her of it, and he not thinking it would become him to do fo, as having had the advantage of his rival, 'tis probable there would have been no mention made of it, if lady Mellafin had not come into the room, and told him, that fhe would not have broke in upon his co/iver* fation with Mifs Betfy, if it had been pofTible for her to have refifted the pleafure of congratulating him, hot only on his fafety, but alfo on his coming off vJdor in the field of battle. The modeliy of Mr. Truewcrth would not fjf- fer him to hear thefe laft words without blufhin'r ; but foon recovering himfelf, " f'ortuiie, madam,'* anlwered he, " is not always the mod favourable ** to the moll: deferving : -her partial fmiles will *' never make me vain^, or happy, unlefs," conti- nued lie, looking tenderly on Mils Betfy, " fhe ** woTjld add to her indulgence here, and give me *' room to hope, my fervices to this lady might '' one day be crowned v/ith the fame fuccefs, as " (lie this njorning gave my fword." *' The *' one,'' faid Mifs Betfy, fmiling, *' has nothing *' to do with the other, and I do not know how " to think a man, who really wiHies nothing fo *' much as to appear agreeable in the eyes of his *< miftrels, would run the hazard of making the *' contemptible figure of a culprit at the bai^of a *' court of Judicature." They then fell into fome difcourfe on duelirng,aiTd Mr. Truewort'i could not help joining with the la- dies, in condemning the folly of that curtom, which, contrary to the known laws of the land, and of- tentimes contrary to his ovm reafon too, obliges the^ gentleman either to obey the call of the perfon who duJlengcs him to the field, or by refuilng^ fubmit K 5 himfe]^ 202 "f^e HI ST OR Y of himfclf not only to all the infuUs his adverfary is pkafcd to treat him with, but alfo to be branded with the infamous character of a coward, by all that know him. Noihiiig material enough to be related, happened in this vifit, except that iVlifs Flora, who had been abroad when Mr. Trueworth came, and returned home a fmall time before he went away, talked much more in half an hour, than ftie had done for fome whole days paft j but it was in fo odd a man- ner, fometimes praifmg, fometimes blaming his conducl, in regard to the tranfaf^ions of that morn- ing, that lie could not well determine in his mind, whether {he was a friend, or an eremy to the fucccfs of his puffion. Mifs Bctfy herfclf was a iittle furprized, but nothing relaiing to that young lady dwelt much up^in her mind, as (he really thought (he had no defign in any thing fhe faid _or did. --The behaviour of Mr. Staple ran much more in her head ; fhe knew he was pretty much wou Tided, and therefore might fuppofe him unable to wait on her in perf^n, but having expcdeil he would ftnd hk compliments to her, eith.cr by letter or mtllage, ar,d finding he did neither the whole day, it fee.med to her a thing too ftrange to be ac- counted for :— — file was, however, eaftd of the lufpence fhe was in, on that fcore, by receiving from him, as fee was at breakfail the next morn- ing, the following epiftle. To Mifs Betsy Tpioughtless. ^« A Brother's recommendation, fuperior mc- " i\ rit, and your own inclination, have a-U *■* united to plead my rival's caufe, and gain the '* verdict againll: unhappy me ! --I ought more ** early to have leen the vanity of attempting to " fucceed;^ (( Mifs Betsy Thoughtless, io^ *^ fucceed, where Mr. IVueworth was tlie candi* ** date ; yet hurried by the violence ofmypaflion, *' I ruflied into an action, which, by adding to *' his glory, has (hewn my demerits in a more confpicuous light than ever. *' It would be needlefs to repeat what happened *' yefterday ; I cannot doubt, madam, but you " are wjH acquainted with all the particulars of *' my folly, and the juft punidinient it met with. " ---I have only to fay the generofity of my rival, " and my conqueror, has rcftored me to my loft '' reafon, and convinced me, that whatever pre- *' ference he may be fo happy as to have gained ** in your efteem, he is indebted for it to the ex- *' ccllence of your good fonfe, and not that partial ** faiicy which frequently mifguides the choice of '* per funs of your fex and age. *' I would have waited on you in pcrfon to take my everlafting leave, but am not certam how far I ou.:ht to depend on the (Irength <.>f my re- folutiou in your prefence. Permit, therefore, my pen to do that whicii m) tongue would faul- ** ter in performing. Yes, madam, I muft " forego, renounce for ever tliofe glorious expec- " tations with which (o lately I flattered my fond *' heart ;- -henceforth muft think on you as the *' fallen father of mankind did on the tree of life : " —-the merits of my too accomplished rival arc " the fl.'.ming fwords which drive me from my ** once hoped-for paradife ; and wh.ile I mourn " my unhappy fate, compels me to own it to be " juff.— Karewcl, O moft aimable of you fcx ! *' Farev/el for ever! ---I have troubled you too *' long, and have no excufe to make, but that it *' is the laif vou will receive from me.— -May the ■^* blefc guardians of the fair and good be your con- **■ ftantdirtdorsj and fiiicld vou from all ills.--- 2(5^ The HISTORY of ** bs adurerj that till I ceaic to cxifty I (haH not •* ceafe to be, *•■ With the finccrefl: gcod wilhes,. *' Madam, '' Yoixr moft faithful, ** Though unfoi tunate, bumble fervanf, " T. Staple, Mils Betfy was afionifhed to that degree, en reading ^o uiiexpected a declaration, that Ihe could fcarce believe ihe was awake for fomc momentg, and thought it all a dream ; (he broke off, and made feveral paufes in the reading, crying ouf, ** Good God ! — Is it polTible ?— What does the '* man mean ?- -How came fuch fluff into h?s ** head r — He is mad fure V^ Mr. Goodman, who had. fome notion of whr^t had pat her i-nto this ferment, and was willing to^be mere confirmed, afked her, in a pleafant way, whr/t had occafioned it ?— '-' Indeed, Sir," replied Mifti Betfy,- endeavouring to compofe herfelf, ^' I have *' been fo ct.nfounded, that I knew not w^here I *' was, or who vvas in the room,— -I afk your par* *' don, ---but this,. I hope will plead my excufe,'* *' continued fhe, throwing the letter on the tabic-, *' youf friend has given over his fuit to me, whirls ** I am very glad of , but the motives, which he *^ pretends oblige him to it, are fo odd and- capri- *' cious, as not to be accounted for. '^ *^ Given aver his • fuit," cried lady Mellafinj haftily 5— -*■' O! praj, let us hear on what pre- •* tenec ?" — On which Mr, Goodman read the letter aloud, the very repetition of which renewed Mi fs Betfy'a agitatiosis - -" He has a£ied," faid- Mr. Goodman, as foon as- he had done reading, *• like a man of i^tn^t and r^lolution, ami ** I fee no caufc why you . (hould be diicon- *' certed at the iofsof a lover, whofe pretenfions 6* you iWi/} Bets \"; Thoughtless. 205 *' you did not defign. to favour."—" He was very *' hafty, how^cver,'* cried Mifs Betfj, fcornfully, *^ inconcludingfor me.-rt-Wbat did the man thinfc " I v/as to be won ationce? — Did he imagine his " merits were To extraordinary, that there required *' no more to obtain, than barely to afk ? but I " give myfelf no concern on that fcore, I afiure *' you, Sir J — it is the infolence of his accufing *' me of being in love that vexes me. — Who told " him, I wonder f or, how came fuch a thing ♦< into his head» that Mr-Trueworth had the pre- *' ference in my efteem ? — By the manner in " which he fpeaks of him in this letter, he has ** found mor-e perfe£^ions in him, than ever I did, *' and would make one think he were himfelf ena- *•' moured of his rival's merits." In anfwer to all this, he told her with a ferious, air, that Mr. Staple was bound by all thofe ties, which engage a noble mhid, to adt in the manner he had dune j — that he had been twice indebted to Mr. Trueworth for his life, and that the whole be- haviour of that gentleman towards him, both during thect-mbat, and after ft was over, demanded all the returns that gratitude could pay. He afterwards run into a detail of all the particu- lars of what had pafi'cd between the two rivals, many of which the ladies were ignorcjnt of before, —•Lady Mcilafin joined with her hufband, in ex- tolling the greatnefs of ibul, which Mr. True- worth had fnewn on this occafion ; but Mifs Flora faid little, and what fhe did was rather in praife of Mr. Staple, — *' Mr. Trueworth," cried (he, " is *' a fine gentleman enough, but has done no more *' than what any man of honour would do j and, *^ for m.y part, I think that Mr. Staple, in putting " the felf-denial, he has rrow fhewn, in prectrcc, *^ difcovers more of the hero and pliibfopheF, than V. die other has done," Tli« ■2o6 The HcIigT O R Y ^/ The converfation,' on this topic, lafted fome time, and .probably would not have broke ofF fo foon, if it had not bcen^-fnterrupted by two young^ Jadies Gomingi in to afk-- Mils Beify and Mifs Flora ,4f they were, not for the park that morning? To ^^vhich they having agreed, ^nd promifed to call on them in their way, went up into their chamber, in order to prepare themfeWes for the walk propofed. — .•:r(i f:vy-3V 3£:t3 :• CHAP. XXVI. Difcovers to Mifs B^ify a piece of treachery Jhe littk::i^pe.$t£dio hsar of. MISS Flora, whoj had been deterred from faying all.ihe had a mind to do, on the affair between Mi!s iietfy's two lovers, now took this op* portunityof givihg her. tQiigiie all the latitude it wanted, Tliey were' n0 fooner come into the chamber, than, ** Lord;, my dear," cried Ihe, with a tone vaft'iy uiffere/Jt from, that, m which Ihe had fpoke to her of iate, <^ how vexed am i for " you !— It will ccrtainlygo all about the town, " that you are in love with Tiuewortli, and there '* v/ill h2 (uca cabals, and fach wifpering about it, '* that you will be plagued to death :— -I cO'dd ** tear him to pieces, methinks ; for I am fare he " is a vaift Ivllow, and the hint mud firii come " from himk>lf." '* I never faw any thing like vanity in him," leplicd Mifs B..tfy, "- and I am rather inclined ta *' believe Mr. Staple got the notion from the idle " rattle of Ml- Chatfree." -" Mr. CJiatfree,'* faid Mifs Flora, *' thought of no fuch thing hini- *' feif, 'till he had been at the tavern with Mr. " Trucworth j but if I was in your place, I would '• convince. M//} Betsy TifOUQHTLts'^. 207 ^' convince Mr. Staple and the world, . that J u^s *' not capable of the weaknefs imputed tome.".. " Why, what would jou have me do ?" crifd Mlfs Betfy.-— " I would have you vrite to Mr. " Staple," anfwercd the other, " and let him know •* the deception bis rival has put upon him."— -Mifs Betfy, who had always an averfion to any thing of this kind, and thought it too great a condefccjifion to write on any fcorc to a man, who had pretended love to her, flvjok her head at this propofal, and exclaimed againft it with the utmoft vehemence. Mifs Flora made ufc of all the arguments flie could think on, to bring her off, frc-rn what ibe called fo ill-judged a pride j---.among. other things, fhe told her, that in compaflion to the defpair Ch^t gentleman had fo feelingly expreffed in his Jettor, ihc ought to give him the conlclalion of knc>wi{;g, that if he had not gained fo far en her afft(Si^r.s v.s he wilhed, it v/as not becaufe his lival h^d gr-in^d more ; and added, that the ftep fhc perfvvadcd her to take, was ftich, as common juflice to her o\^a charatSter had a right to cxa6t from her. Mifs Belf) heard, but was not to be prevailed upon by all fhe could fay on this fubjcvSt ; but the otlier, who had a greater fnare of ariiiice, than, perhaps, was ever kr:ovvn in cne of hef }'t'ar^, would not give over the defign (lie had fc rmcd jn her head, and perceiving that ^lic. writing to a man was the grcateft objcdion Mifs Hctfy had to letting Ivlr. Staple know ihe was not fo much attached to his rival, as he iniagincJ, took am.tlier way of working her to her purpofe, wlfich fhe thought would b'j lefs irkfome. *' Well then, my dear Mifs Betfy," faid flie, m the moft flattering accent, " I will tell you the ^' only method you can take, and I am glaj I have *' been fo lucky to hit i^on it :---you ihail j;.t me " go,, and make Mr. Staple a vifit as of my ow n '* accoid a 2oS Ihe HISTORY of ' accord ;--• I fhall take care not to drop a fyllable ' that may give him room to think you know of ' my coming ; but yet as he may fuppofc I am ' enough in your (ecrets to be miftrefs of thi?, or, ' at leail, not altogether a ftranger to it, he will, ' doubtlefs, hy foniething to me concerning the * matter j but if hefliouid not, it will be eafy for ' mc, in the way of difcourfe, and as it were by ' chance, to exprefs myfclf in fuch terms as will * entirely clear you, and rid him of all the appre- ' henfions hers under, of your being in love with ' Mr. Trueworth." Mifs Betf'/ was not in her heart at all averfe to Mr. Staple's having that eclaircifement Mifs Flora had mentioned, and was much lefs fbockcd at this propofal, than fhe had been at the former, offered to her confideration for that purpofe ; yet did not feem to come into it, till the other had lavifhed all the arguments, that woman, witty and willful to obtain her ends, could urge to prevail on her to do fo ; and at laft confented not to the execution^ with- out exacting from Mifs Flora the moll iolemn vow of an inviolable fecrecj. Thii project being concluded on, and every thing relating to it fettled while they were drefiing, they went together according to their prc- mife to the ladies who expetSted them, and then ac- companied them into the park ;-— but as if this was to be a day of furprifcs to Mifs Betfy, fhe here mtt with fomcthing which gave her, at leaif, an equal fliare with that (he had received from the letter of Mr. Staple. I'hey had not gone many yards in the ?v/Iall, be- fore they fluv three gentlemen coming towards them ^ one of whom, as they drew nearer to each other, Mifb Betfy and Mifs Flora prefently knev/ to b. the fon of alderman Saving, though he vvas grown fat- ter, more ruddy, ^iv^ ui majiy refpecU m^uch ifl- M//} Be TSY Thought ttss. 209 tered from what he was when he vifited at Me. Goodman's. As our young ladies had not heard of this gentle- man's return to England, it was natural for them, efpecially Mifs Betfy, after what had pailed between them, to be in fome little furprife at the fudden light of him ;---he was in fome confufion too ; but both parties had prefence enough of mind to recover themfelves, fo as to falute as perfons would do, who never had any thing more than an ordinary ac- quaintance with each other. After the civilities common to people, wh.o thus meet by accident, Mr. Saving alked the lad cs leave for himftlf and friends to join company ; which be- ing readily granted, they all walked up thcMall to- gether ;---but the place being pretty full, were obliged to dcvidc themfelves, and walk in couples, or as it happened. During this promenade, Mr. Saving found an opportunity of faying to Mifs Betfy, unheard by any of the others, •■' madam, I have " fomething to acquaint you with, of great confe- *' quence to yourfelf : --it is improper for me either " to come or write to you at Mr. Goodman's, *' therefore wifh you would appoint fome place *' where I might fpeak to you.'^ Mifs Betfy was very much ftartltd at his mentio- ning fuch a thing, and replied, — " No," Mr. *' Saving, I do not make a pra£Vice of confcntiog •' to aflignations with men, nor have yet forgot *' that which I confented to with you^--" I am " very well able to clear myfelf of any fault on '' that fcore." faid he, " but, madam, to eafe *' you of thofe apprehenfions, which might, per- *' haps, make you think yourfelf obliged to keep me '^ at a diftance, it is proper to acquaint you, that *' I am married, and that it is only through a friend- *' ly regard for your honour and peace, that I *' would warn you againft the perfidy of a pre- '* tended 2IO n^HlST OR Y of ■•' tended friend."— Perceiving (he flatted at thcfe words, ajid repeated them two or three times over, **« YtSf madam," refumed he, and if you will ** permit me to fpcafk to you in a proper place, ** will bring with me an unqueftionable proof of *' the truth of what I fay." One of the ladies happening to turn back to fay fomething to Mifs Betfy, prevented him from ad- ding further ; but what he had already fpoke, made a very deep imprefTion on her mind ;---{he could not conceive, who the falfe friend fhould be, that he had mentioned, unlefs it were Mifs Flora ; but though fhe had feen many inftances of her infince- rity, was not able to form any conjeclurc, what fhe could have been guilty of to her, that Mr. Saving, who had been fo long abfent, could pofli- bly be made acquainted with. Thinking, however, that ihe ought not to deny herfelf the fatisfadiori of the eclaircifement he offer- ed, efpecially as it was now to be given, not by a lover, but a friend, fhe fought and found a moment before they left the Mall, of faying to him without the notice of the company, " Sir, 1 have confider- *' ed on the hint you gave me ;— -whatevtr con- " cerns my honour, or my peace, mufl certainly *' merit my attention :-"I have an acquaintance in "•' St. James's palace, whom I will vifit as foon as *' dinner is over ; if you walk a turn or two in the *' gallery leading to the chapel- royal, you will fee " me pafs that way between four and five o^clock.'* To this Mr. Saving replied, that he would not fail to attend her there. Mifs Flora, who had been informed by Mifs Betfy, after they had parted from Mr. Saving, that he was married, was very full of the news when flic came home, but Mr. Goodman, to whom the whole ftory of tliat affair had been related by the alderman, faid, that the young gentleman had done very M{f$ Betst Thoughtless. an very wifely, in complying with the commands of his /ather ; and added, that the lady had a very agreeable perfon, a Jarge fortune, and, above ail, was extremely modefl: and difcreet ; fo that there was no room to doubt his happinefs.--- There was /ome further difcou J fe at table, concerning this new- wedded pair ; but Mifs Betfy took little fliare in it, ^s giving herfelf no pain for the interefts of a perfon for whom (he never had any thing but the moft per- fect indifference. She was, notwithflanding, impatient enough for the account, (he expected to receive from him, and withotit faying one word, either to mifs Flora, or any of the family, where fhe was going, went at the time pcrfixed to the place {he had appointed to meet him. Mr. Saving, to avoid being accufed of want of purcSluality in the affairs of friendfhip, as he had been in thofc of love, came fomewhat before his time into the palace.— -As (he afccnded the great ffairs file Aiw him looking through one of the win- dows, waiting her approach, which greatly pleafed her, as flie would not have thcught it proper to -have walked there alone, nor would have been wil- ling to have departed without the gratification of that curiofity his words had excited in her. Excepting the time of divine fervice, and when the king, or any of the royal family go to chapel, few places are more retired than this gallery, none, befides the officers of the houfliold paffing on bufi- nefs into fome of the apartments, fcarcc ever going into it, fo that the choice Mifs Betfy made, in her appointment with Mr. Saving, was extremely ju- dicious. As the bufinefs on which they met was of a na- ture very different from love and gallantry, and time was precious to them both, they needed not many CQmpliments to ufher in what Mr, Saving had to fay :. 212 ne HISTORY of fay >- -he only, to cxcufe his behaviour to her, while he had profefTcil himfelf her loverj waS be- ginning to relate the fudden manner in which he had been forced abroad ; but fhe flopped him from going on, by telling him, fhe had heard the whole ftory of that affair from Mr. Goodman, to whom the alderman had made no fecret of it. " I have only then," faid he, " to acquaint you, *' madam, that foon after my arrival in Holland^ *' looking over fome papers, that my father had " put into my portmantua foj- my infl:ru£tion in *' the bufmefs I was fent to negociate, I found *' among them a letter, which, doubtlefs, in the •' hurry he was in, he had fhuffled with the others *' through miftake j-'-which, pray madam," con- continued he, giving her a paper, " be pleafed to *' perufe, and tell me whether honour and jyftice ** did not oblige me to take the firft opportunity of *^ cautioning you againft the bafenefs and malice " of a p'rfon, you might otherv^ife, perhaps, con- *' fide in, on matters of more confequence to your *' peace, than any thing on my account could be." Mifs Betfy ht.d no fooner taken the paper, and looked or^ the fuperfcription, which was to alder- man Saving, than fhe cried out, with great amaze- ment, '' Blefs me .'---this is Mifs Flora's hand." — •** I think," (iiid Mr. Saving, **- that I might fafely *' venture to affirm it upon oath, having oft€n (tQn *' her writing, and have even fome of it at this *' inftant by me, in a fong fhe copied for me, on *' my firfV acquaintance with her ; but read, " madam," purfued he, " read the wicked fcroU, ^' and fee the methods fhe took to prevail on a fa- " ther to banifh from his prefence, and the king- " dom, an only fon, and to traduce that innocence *« and virtue which fhe hated, becaufe incapable of *' imitating." Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 213 On this, Mifs Betfy trembling, between a mix- ture of furprizeand anger, haftiiy unfolded the let- ter, and found in it thcfe lines, wrote in the fame hand with the fuperfcription. " Sir, TH E real efteem I have for all perfons of honefty and probity, obliges me to give you this feafonable warning of the greateft mif- fortune that can pofTibly befal a careful and a tender parent, as I know you are j — but not to keep you in fufpence,---your fon, Sir, — your only,-— your darling fon !---that fon, whom you have educated with fomuch tendernefs, and who is To defervedly dear to you, is on the verge of ruin :- "his unhappy acquaintance with Mr. Good- man's family has fubjcdted him to the artifices of a young girl, whofe little affairs arc in the hands of that gentleman.---She is a great coquette,- -- if I had faid, jilt too, I believe the injuf^ice I (hould have done her character would not have been much ; but as her fliarc, cither of fortune or reputation, is very fmall, I cannot condemn her for putting in pradtice all the ftratagcms in. her power of fecuring to herfelf a future fettle- ment by marriage,— -I fhould, Sir, only be forry that the lot fhould fall upon your fon, as I know, and the world acknowledges him to be a gentle- man of much more promifing expc6lations.— -It is, however, a thing 1 fear too near concludqd ; —-he loves her to diftra(5^ion,---will venture every thing for the gratification of his paffion : --- She has a great deal of cunning, though little under- ftanding in things more becoming of her fex;— fhe is gay, vain, and pafTionately fond of gaming, and all the expenfive diverfions of the tov.'n--— A (hocking, and moft terrible compofition for a wife ! yet fuch will fhe very fpeedily be made '' by 214 ^'^^^ HISTORY of by the poor infatuated Mr. SaTing, if you, Sir, in your paternal wifdoni do not find fonie way ** to put a ftop to his intentions.-— The original of the picture I have been reprefenting is called Mifs Betfy Thoughtlefs, a n^me well known a- mong the gallant part of the town. 1 hope you will take the above intelligence in good part^ as it is meant, " With the greateft fincerity, and " Attachment to your interefts, '' By, fir, ** Your moft humble, *' But unknD\vn fcrvant, " A. Z. *' P. S. Sir, your Ton is every day at Mr. Good- '* man's, and if you v/ill take the trouble to ** fet a watch over him, or fend any pcrfon to '* enquire in the neighbourhood, it will be eafy *' for you to fatisfy yourfeif in the truth of what •* I have related." The confleri'Jition Mifs Betfy was in, on reading this cruel inve(31ve, was fuch, as for fome moments deprived her from the power of fpeaking.'—Mr. Saving could neither wonder at, nor blame {q juft a refentment, yet to mitigate it in part, he confef- {^6. to her a fecret, which, till then, fhe had been wholly ignorant of. *' Though nothing, madam," faid he, '* can ex- *' cufe the crime (lie has been guilty of towards '* you, yet permit me to acquaint you, that the *•' malice is chiefly levelled againft me, and you *' are only wounded through my fides." *' How can that be ?" cried fhe, " flie does ** juftice to your character, while fhe defames *' mine in the moft barbarous manner."-— " Meer *♦ artifice, madam," anfwered he, " to work my " father Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 215 *' father to her purpofe, as I will prererttly convince « you." He then told her, that before he ever had the honour of feeing her, he had treated Miii Flora with fomc gallantries ; " which," faid he, " her ** vanity made her take as the addrefles of a ferious •' paflion, 'till thofe (he found I afterwards made *' to you, convinced her to the contrary,- --This, *' madam," continued he, I am well affured of *' by her laying hold of every opportunity to re- ** proach my inconftancy, as fhe termed it; — " finding how little 1 regarded all fhe faid to me *' on that fcore, and ftill perfified in my devoirs ta " you, fhe doubtlefs had recourfe to this moft *' wicked ftratagem to cut me from all hope, even " though it had been in my power to have inclined *' you to favour my fuit." Mifs Betfy found this fuppofition fo reafonable, and fo conformable to the temper of Mifs Flora, that fhe agreed with Mr. Saving in it. — She did not now wonder at her wifhing to be revenged on him, but could not brook with patience the method (he took for being fo, and faid, that if Mr, Good- man did not do her juftice ©n the author of fo infamous a libel, fhe would immediately quit his houfe, and chufe another guardian. ** Hold, madam," faid he, *' I mufl intreat " you will give me leave to remind you of the " confequences that may poiTibly attend your taking *' fuch a flep :— I own with you, that treachery " and calumny, fuch as her's, cannot be to(j fe- '^ verely expofed and punifhed j but, madam, con- ** fider, that in order to do this, the accident which *« brought the letter into m.y po/Teilion, and the *' opportunity you have allowed me of prefent- " ing it to you, mufl be made known, the lat- *' ter of which you may be confident fhe would *' not fail to make fuch rcprcfentations of, as would " »ot 2 1 6 rhe HISTORY of ^ not only hurt me, both with my father and -my ^' wife, but alfo fu rnifh the malicious world, too '' apt to judge by appearances, with fome pre- " tcnce for calling a bkmiih on your own repii-. ii Thcfe remonflrances had fome part ©f the ef- fe6l tiiey were intended for on the mind of Mifs Betfy, -yet having an averfion to diflimulation, and not knowing whether Ihe could be able to conceal either her refentmsnt or the caufe of it, {he cried out hafiily, without confidering what (he faid, " Why then did you let me know the injury done *^ me, imce it is improper for me to do any thing, '< that might extort a reparation ?" *' I could no^ madam," replied he, " behold yoa ^* harbouring a fnake in your bofom without warn- ^' ing you of the fting.— I am certain the eafing '' you of my troublefome addrefles has been no " caufe of mortification ; and it was not that you <' fliould revenge what (he has already done, but *' to put you upon your guard againft any thing fhe " may hereafter attempt to do, that I refolved to *' take the firft opportunity of letting you fee what '' file was capable of." Mifs Betfy was by this time fully perfuaded by his arguments, but could not forbear complaining of the difficulty it would be to her to look, or fpeak civilly, to fleep in the fame bed, or behave in any refpecStas {he had been accuftomed, towards fo unworthy a creature :-— {he thanked him, how-' ever, for his good intentions to her, iind before they parted, promifed to follow his advice, if it were only, as fhe faid, in confideration, that to a<5l in a different manner might be a prejudice, to his dome- ilic peace. C H A P. Mifs Betiy Thoughtless. 217 CHAP, xxvir. Has very Utile in it, befides a colle.^ion of letters^ fome of which ate much to the purpoje^ others iefsfo. Ml SS Betfy, after having taken leave of Mr. Saving, went to the apartment of her friend, where (lie flayed fupper, n^x bccaufe fliC was at that time capable of being entertained, either with the elegancies of the tablr, crthc company, which happened to be pretty numerous ; but mecrly to amufe and recover hcrfelf from' the iliock, whicii the la^e difcovefy of Mifs Flora's infidelity had gi- ven her. On her coming home, flie found the family not yet gone to bed, though it was then ncr.r one o'clock-— Mr. Goodman was in high good humour, and faid to her, " Mifs Bctfy you have loft fome *' hours of contentment by being abroad,—- Mr. *' Trueworth lias been here, and did us the favour " to pafs the whole evening ^Aith us ; but that is *' not all, --three letters have been left lfr}'ou,— - ^' two of thtm came by the pofr, and are, I " know, by the fuperfcnpti;ui, from Mr. Fiancts " Thoughtlefs, and bdy Trufty : •— the other I " am informed was leit for you by a poiter» but " your curiofity muft wait for thcfe, 1 have '^ ftill better news for you, — your eld.d brother, " Mr. Thomas Thouq-hileis is com- '.a; home, " I have received a letter from him, which tells '' me, he has finifhed his tou^^ and we fhall foon " have him among us. -Sec," continued he, " what he f.ys." ^ . ' In fpeakirtg thefc words, he took ihe letter but of his pocket, and gave her to read :— it contiiined thefc lines : Vol. I. L - To 2iS The H IS TOR Y (/ . To Mr. Goodman. TVdythy Sir, HAVE been for upwards of a month de- tained on a party of pleafure, at the chateau of monfieur le marquis de St. Amand, fo was not fo happy to receive yours of the feventh, and twenty-fecond inflant, till yefterday, when I re- turned to Paris. 1 thank you for the long and particular account you give me of thofe affairs ' which are entrufted to your care. As to what you tell me concerning my brother Frank's hav- ing left the univerfity, I am not forry for it, nor can at all wonder, that a young fellow of his mettle {hould be willing to exchange the hopes of * a mitre for a truncheon. 1 have not heard ' from him fince I leit Florence, but believe it ow- ^ ing to his Want of knowing where to direct for ' me, my {lagcs afterwards having been pretty un- ' certain ; but finding by yours that he is now with * Sir Ralph Trudy, (liall accompany a letter I am ^ obliged to fend to that gentleman, with one to ' him. 1 forgive my filter's not writing when ^ you did, as you gave me fome hints fhe is likely * foon to become a bride :~ — -a matter, I confefs, * fuffaient to engrofs the whole thouglits of a young " lady ; be pleafcd to alfure her^ of my good wilhes ^ in this, and all other events.*-— * As you fay (he * has two very advantageous offers, 1 flatter my- ^ k\f, through your good advice and infpedlion, fhe * will take the beft. ' In my laft, I mentioned fomewhat of a defign * I had, to pafs a few months in the fouthern parts ^ of this kingdom .; but I have fmce changed my ^ mind, and am determined on returning to my na- f tive country with all poffible expedition : ■ -I * believe you inay expci^t me in three or four ' weel;$ Af//} Betsy Though TLE?;s. 2.f^ * weeks at fartheft. If, Sir, you could within * that time hear of a houfe, agreeably fituated, (ar * my ufe, I fhould eftecm it as a confidcrablc addi- * tion to the favours of our family, and myfclf in * particular, has received from you fincc the death * of our dear father. — I fhould approve of St. James's * Square, if rents are not too exorbitant ; for in ■* that cafe a houfe in any of the adjoining ftreets * mufl: content me : — I would not v/illingly exceed ' an hundred, or an hundred and ten pounds per * annum ; but v/ould be as near the park and pa- * Jace as pofTible. ' I kifs lady Mellafm's and her fair daughter's * hands, and am, ' With very great rcfpcc^, * Sir, ' Your mod obliged, * And moH: obedient fervant, ' T. Thoughtless, Mlfs Betfy was very glad to find a brother, who had now been near five years abro;;d, was at Jaft coming home, and much more fo, that he intended to fet up houfekeepingin London, becaufe, as doubt- ing not he would be pleafcd to have her with him, fhe would have a fair pretence for quitting Mr. Goodman's houfe, and the fociety of Mifs Flora, who had now rendered hcrfvlf fo irkfomc to her. This did not hinder her, hovv'ever, from re- proaching Mr. Gocdinan for having mentioned to her brother any thing in relation to her lo\ crs, .— " You fee, Sir," faid llie, " that one of *' them has already abandoned mc, and you " will alfo fee, in a ihort time, that the other " will be little the better for his rival's refig- *' nation." L 2 Ta 220 rhe HISTORY of To this Mr. Goodman pleiifantly replied, that whatever fhc pretended at prefent, he behevcd bet- ter things from her good fcnfe, and the merits of Mr. Trueworth ; to which Mifs Betfy, unwilling to ppolong the converfation, only told him, he would find himfclf niiilaken, and ran haftily up -flairs to examine the contents of thofe letters, which, fhe had heard, lay on her toilet, ready for her perufal. — The firft (he broke open was from Mifb Forward, knowing k to be her's by the hand, and eager to fee the event of a fate, which, by the hiftory (iie had given her, had appeared fg doubtful. To Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. Dear M'lfs Betjy^ ^ QlNCE I fav/ you I have been driven to the ' O lail dcfpair : — the kind fupply you left with * me was quite exhaiifred, and I mufl infallibly ' have periihed, through want of the common ne- * ceffaries of life, and the cruel ufagc of my mer- ' cenary landlady, if my poor aunt in the country ' had not fent me a fmall prefent, which for a * fmali fpace of time afforded relief, but accom- * panied with the melancholy account that my fa- ' ther was inexorable to her pcrfwafions>-~would * not hear of my return to L e, and vow- * ed never to fee me more, or own me for his ' child : — foon w^s I again reduced to the lowed * ebb of mifery, — —had fcarce fulBcicnt tofurniili < the provifions of another day, and was even * threatened to be turned out of doors by the inhu- ' man has:, who, I very well remember, you faid, ' had her foul pi(5^ured in her countenance; — but, ' my dear friend, in the midftof this diftrefs^, and ' when I thought no human help was near, my af- * fairs took a moft fudden and unexpc(5fed turn— - ' Foitune Afy/} Betsy Thoughtless. 221 * Fortune threw in my way a kinfman of my mo- * ther's, whom I had never feen, nor even heard * of beore j he compaflionated my calamitous * condition, removed me from that difmal ' place, — allows me a handfome maintenance, and has proriiifcd to coiuinue it, till nature, and the endeavours of my good aunt, fiiall work my fa- ther to a more gentle temper. * I long to fee you, and would have waited on 3'ou to return the money you were fo kind to lend me, but knew not whether it were proper for me to 60 fo, as I am wholly unacquainted with, the family where you are. A vifit from you would therefore now be doubly agreeable, as I am lodged in a huufe lefs unworthy to re- * ccive you, than that wretched one to v.iiich I before took the liberty to make you an invi- tation. * You may now find me at Mr. Screencr*s, die very next door to Linko's-Head, in Taviftcck- * ftreet, in Covcnt-garden, where, I flatter m\feif, your good-nature will foon bring you to her, who * is impatient for that hapjjinefs, and will alwavs * be, dear Mifs Betfy, * Your very affectionate, * And mult humble fervant, ' A. Forward. * P. S. I had forgot to tell you that I am every * Friday engaged at my abovc-mentic.njd good* * coufin's, and fhould never have foi given my felf, ' if by this omiflionyoti had loil your labour, and ' I the plcafure of your corppany/ Mifs Betfy, who little doubted the fmcerity of this cpiftle, was very much touched with it, and rc- folvcd to comply with the invitation it contained, in a (hort time.—— She now began to grow pretty L 3 ileepy. 222 The II I S T O Pv Y of ficepy, and would, probably, have deferred the ncruial of the other two letters, 'till next morn- ing, if Mifs Flora had not come up to go to bed : — to Liv'oid, therefore, entering into any conveifatioii v\ iiii her, file took up tlic firft that came to hand, and i'ound the contents as follov/s : To Mifs BiLTSY Thoughtless. My denrjijhr, S Mr, Goodman's endeavou-rs for procuring me acommiilion have not yet been attend- ed with the defired fuccefs, I have been prevailed upon by the ftsllicitations of my friends, to give them my promife of pafiing fome paitof the ^ hur.ting feafon in L' c, To fhall not lee you ' To foonasmy laii: might make you exped j---bu.t * I will not diilcmble, i'o far as to rcll you, that to * give you this information is the chief motive of my * v/riting to you at prtfent j,-— no, my dear Bctfy ! ' it is one of much more confequcnci that nov/ di- * .leiSts my pcn^— -it is to give you fuch remonflran- * ces, a?, I fear, y(.u Hand but in too much need ^ of, to beware how you difregard the fmiles of * fortune, and become th.e enemy of your own ' happinefs.---! received a letter yellerday from ' Mr. Trueworth ;---he complains fadly of my * ii-a\ing in the country, and feems to think my * prefence necelTary for the advancement of h?s * courtPnip to you.-- I fliall be always glad to be * obliged by you on any fcore, but extremely forry * to find my intereds with you, as a brother, fhould ' have more efFe6t on you than your own reafon, * and the merits of one of the moft dcferving men * on earth.- -I have no pretence to claim, any au- * thority over you by the ties of blood, but may * certainly flatter myfelf with having fome influ- * cnce over you as a friend, ---enough at leaft I ' hope Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. -zi ^ hope to prevail on you to confider ferioufly on this matter, and am perfuaded, that if you once bring yourfeif to do fo, Mr. TVuevvorth wiii wane no other advocate to plead his caufe, than your own linderftanding.---! am willing to believe the aflurince you gave me in your Lift, of your heart being free from any impreflion yet endeavoured to be made upon it; did I think otherwifc I fhould be entirely filent on this occafion.-—! would be far, my dear fifter, from oppofing your inclinations, I v/ould only wilh to direct thcni where there is a profpecl of the molt felicity :— - let me conjure you, therefore, to open your un- prejudiced eyes, nor be wilfully blind to the gooti intended for you by your better ftars.---As you can never expcn, and amiable qualities of that gen- tleman are comprifed all that you either can, or * oug'.i to wiili in a hufband : trifle not then * wiih a heart (o dwfcrving of you ; — fcruple not * to become a wife, when merit, fuch as his, m- L 5 ' vitess 226 rhe HISTORY^/ * vites, and fo many reafons concur to urge you to * confcnt. Believe me, there is more true fe- * liclty in the fiiKcrc and tender friendfliip of one * man ot" honour, than all the flattering profeflions * of a thoufand coxcombs. I have much more to * fay to you on this Iiead, but fhall defer it, 'till * you let me know with what kind of fentiments ■* it is that you regard the gentleman I have been * fpeaking of, which I beg you will do without * dilguife : be fatisfied that the fccrct of your * real inclinations will be as fafe in my keeping as •* your own, and that I am, ' With the moft perfect: amity, ' My dear Mifs Betfy, * Your conftant friend, ^ And humble fervant, M. Trusty.' The time of night did not permit Mifs Betfy to give thefc letters all the attention which the writers of them, doubtlefs, defired (lie fliould do ; but (lie locked them carefully in her cabinet, rcfolving to confidcr the purport of them more fcrioufly before (he letuMied any ar.fvv'cr. C H A P. XXVIII. Serves as a fiippkment to the former. TH E next morning 'Mifs Flora opened her lipsahnolt as foon as (lie did her eyes, to talk to Mifi; Betfy on the dcfign had been agreed upon bttween them the day before, in relation to Mr. Staple. — She told her, fhe had employed her whole thoughts about it ever fince, and that fhe had found out a v/ay of introducing the difcourfe, (o as to give bim v\Q lUfpicioir that (lie cams from her, yet-, at tiis Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 227 the fame time, take away all his apprchenfions of her being in love with Mr. 'rnieworth ; and ad- ded, that (he would go to his lodgings immediately after breakfaft. " Indeed," replied Mifs Bctfy, fullenly, " you " fliall do no fuch thing ; 1 Ao not care wjiat *' his apprehcnfions arc, or any one's elfe ;--tiic men *' may all think and i\o as they will, — I Ihali not *' fill my mind with any ftufF about them." ' *« Heyday," cried Mifs Flora, a good deal (hock- ed at this fudden turn, '* what whim has got pof- " feffion of you now ?" The whim you endci- " voured to pofTcfs me with," faid Mife Bctfv, fcornfully, " would have been a very ridiculous •' one I am fure ; — but I have confidered better *' on it, and defpife fuch foolidi fancies." — Good- •^ lack,'; returned the ether, '^ you are grown •' wonderous wife methinks, at leaft imagine ^' yourfelf (o ; but I fliall go to Mr. Stnple for *' all this, 1 cannot hear that he fliould think ** you are in love wiih Truewoith." — I know no " bufinefs," faid Alifs Bctfy, in a haughty tone,. *' you have either with my love or hate, and I dc- *' fire for the future, you v.ill forbear troubling ** your head in my affairs." Mifs Flora then told her, that what fhe had of- fered was meerly in regard to her reputation, and then ran over again all the arguments (he had urged,. in order to prevail on her to come into the mea- fures fhe propofed ; but whatever fhe faid, cither in the wheedling or remonilratii-g accent, was c- qually ineffectual, the ether remained firm in her refolutlon, and behaved in a manner fo different from what Mifs Flora had ever {q^w her do before, that flie knew not what to think of it. — Having her own reafons, however, to bring her, if pofTible, to a lefs grave way of thinking, flie omitteil no- thing in the power of artifice, that (he imagined might 22S The HIST OR Y of might be conducive to that end. —All the time they were rifmg, — all the time they were dreffing, did fhe continue to labour on this fcore, without being able to obtain any other anfwers to what flie faid, than fuch as were peremptorily in the negative. It is, certain, that Mifs Betfy was of fo foft and tra6lable a difpofition, that half the arguments Mifs Flora had alledged, would, at another time, have won her to confent to things of much greater con- fequence than this appeared -to be j but the difco- very (he had the day before made of her deceit, and the little good -will fhe had towards her, gave her fufHcient reafon to apprehend, that fhe had ibme further defigns than flie pretended in this pro- ject, though of what nature it could be was not in her power to conceive. The thing in difpute ieemed to her extremely trifling in itfelf, but the eagernefs with which Ihe was prelTed to it, by a perfon c-f whofe treachery fhe had fo flagrant a proof, convinced her, that fhe ought not on any account to acquiefce. Mifs Flora, on the other hand, was difconcerted beyond meafure at this unexpected change in Mifs Betfy 's humour, of which fhe was as little able to divine the caufe, as the other was to guefs the dc- lign fhe had formed ; but determining to accom- plifh her point, if poifible, at any rate, flie endea- voured aii fhe could to dilTcmble her chagrin, and ftill afFcclcd a mighty regard for the honour of Mifs Betfy, telling her, Ihe was refol'ved to fcrve her whether fhe would or not, and that how much focver (he difapproved it, fhe fhould purfue her firft intention, and undeceive Mr. Staple in the opinion he had, of her being fo Ijily as to fall in love with Mr. Truewortli. Mifs Betfy on hearing this, and not doubting but fhe would do as flie had faid, turned tovvaids her, and looking full upon her with a countenance compofed M'lfs Betsy Thoughtless. 229 compofed enough, but which had yet in it fcme- what between the ironical and kwercy replied in thefe terms,---*' Since you arc fo much bent," faid fhe, " on making a vifit to Mr. Staple, far *' be it from me, Mifs Flora, to deprive that gen- •' tleman of the favour you intend him, provided *' you gi^ve me your promife, in the prefcnce of '' Mr. Goodman, and he will be your fecurity *' for the perfcirmance of it, that you will mention *' neither my name, nor that of Mr. Trueworth, " and above all, that you v/ill not pretend to have *' any knowledge of affairs you never have been ** trufted wirii." However inconfiderate, or incautious, Mifs Bctfy may appear to the reader, as to her condud in ge- neral, it muft be acknowledged, that at this time fhe ilicwed an uncommon prefence of mind.«—— 1 his was, indeed, the only way to put a Oop, and quafh at once that fcheme, which her falfe friend had formed to do her a real prejudice, under the pretence of fcrving her. It is not in words to exprcfs the confufion Mifs Flora was in, on hearing Mifs Belfy fpeak in this manner. Bold as ihe was by nature, ai^d habi- tuated to repartee, (lie had not now the power of uttering one v/ord : innocence iifelf, when over- awed by authority, could not have flood more daunted and abafiicd, while the other, with a care- lefs ?Ar^ added, " As foon as we go down fiairs " I fnall. fpeak to Mr. Goodman about this . " matter." Whether Mifs Betfy really intended to put this menace in execution, or not, is uncertain ; fcr Mifs Flora recovering her fpirits, and her cunnino- at the fame time, affected to burft into a vi(;len° iit of laugh ler. " Mr. Goodman I" faid fhe ; " mighty' pretty, indeed I -you would trcuble " Mr. Goodman with the h'ttle impertlntnces we ^' talk 230 1b^ HISTORY of *' talk on between ourfclves ! but cfo fo if you *' tliink proper. 1 fliall tell him the truth, that ** I made this propofal to you only to try you, and *' but aded the fccond part of what Mr. Chatfree *' had begun. — You did not imagine fure, " con- tinued file with a malicious fnecr, " that I loved " you fo well, that for your fike I would hazard •* my perfon and reputation, by going to fee a " young gay fellow at his own lodgirigs/' , " As for that,"' cried Mils Bctfy, with a look ^as contemptuous as flie could polTibly aiTumc, *' I *' am equally well acquainted with the modefty *' and fincerity of Mifs Flora, and know how to " fet a juft value upon both." — In fpeaking thefe words, having nov/ got on her cloaths, flie flung out of the room without flaying to hear what an- fwer the other would have made. After this thefe tv/o high fpirits had little inter- courfe, never fpeaking to each other, but on fucii common affairs as were unavoidable between per- fons who lived in the fame houfe, eat at the fimie table, and lay in the fame bed. — Plow Mifs Flora employed her thoughts will very fhortly be feen, but we muft firft examine what eff^w6l thefe late oc- currences had on the mind of Mifs Betfy. Youna; as (lie was, (he m'vAw. be fafd to have fjcn a great deal of the world ; and as (he had a fine underitanding, and a very juft notion of things, wanted only to rcfle6l on the many follies and de- ceits which fom.e of tliufc who call themfelves the beau monde are guiby of, to be enabled to difpife them. The laft letter flie had received from lady Trufly made a flrong imprcflion on her^ and carting a retrofpe(fl: on fcverai paft tranfadlions (lie had been witnefs of, as well as thofe fhe had been concerned in herfclf, began to v/onder at, and condemn the vanity of being pleafcd with fuch {ha.- dowiog nothings : ■■■■ fuch fleeting, unfubftantial delights,, M//} Betsy Thoughtless. 23? delights, accompanied with noifc and hurry in the pofleflion, and attended with wearinefs and vexati- on of fpirit. A multiplicity of admirers feemed now to her among this number ; her foul con- fefled, that to encourage the addreflcs of a f©p, was both dangerous and filly ; and to flatter with vain hopes the lincerc paflion of a man of honour, was equally ungenerous and cruel. Thefe confiderations were very favourable to Mr. Trueworth ; (he ran through every particular cf that gentleman's charadcr and behaviour, and could find nothing which could make her liaRd excufcd even to herfclf, for continuing to treat him with the little ferioufnefs fhe had hitherto done. " What then fliall I do with him ?'* faiJ flie to herfelf. " Mull I at once difcard him, dcfuc *' him to defiil his vifits, and tell him I am deter- '• mined never to be his !— or muft I rcfolve to '* think of marrying him, and h nceforward enter- " tain him, as the man who is really ordained to be *' one day my hufband ! 1 have at prcfcnt *' rather an averfion, than an inclinrition to a wcd- " dcd fiate ; yet if my mind fliould alter in this '* point, where fhall I find a partner fo qualified to " make me happy in it ? but yet," continued (lie, *' to become a matron at my years, is what I '* cannot brook the thought* of ; if he loves me *' he muft wa-it, it will be fufficient to receive " the addreflcs of no other ; but then how ihall I " refufe thofe who may make an offer of them, *' without givin:^ the world room to belie. el am " pre-engaged." Thus did (lie argue with herfelf,— the dilem- ma appeared hard to her, but what was the refuit of her reafonincis will befl appear in the anfwer flie fijut to lady Trufly's letter, which was in the fol-_ bwing terms :, To 232 ne HISTORY of To Lady Trusty. • Ma dam y *■ T Received the honour of yours, and fincerely ' X thank you for the good wiflies and advice con- * tained in it : be afllired, madam, 1 have a juft « fenfe of the value I ought to fet upon them, and * fhall henceforth do the utmoft in my power to * deferve it. — I have, indeed, no parent to dire6^, * and but few faithful friends to guide me through ' the perplexing labyrinth of life. 1 confefs, I * have been too often milled by the prevalence of * example, and my own idle caprice, — it is there- * fore the higheO: charity to fhew me to myfelF. * — I now fee, and am afhamed of the many inad- * verteneies I have been guilty of. The dangers * which a young woman, like me, mufl necellarily < be continually expofed to, appear to mc, from < what you fay of them, in their proper colours, * and convi[]ce me, that noperfon of underflanding * would condemn me, if to avoid f ) many threaten- ^'-,ed ills, I flew to that afylum your iadyfliip has ' mentioned. 1 will own to you yet farther, ' madam, that I am not infenfible of the merits of * Mr. Trueworth, nor of the advantages, which ' would attend my acceptance of his propolals ; but * I know not how it is, I cannot all at once bring * myfelf into a liking of the marriage ftate. Be * allured of this, tliat I never yet have fcen any ' m.an, whom my heart has been more inclined to favour, and that, at prefent, I neither receive, nor defire the addrefTes of any other. There is no anfwcring for events, bur, in the way of thinking I now am, it feems not improbable, that I Ihall one day comply with what my friends t^ke fo much pains in perfwading me to. \n the mean time, 1 befeechyou to believe I i}iairre2;u- ' late Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 2;^3 late my condudl, fo as to eafe you cf all thofe * apprehenfions you are fo gocd to entertain on my ?iccount. 1 am, ' VViih a profound rerpt(fl, ' Madam, * Your ladyfhip's mofl: obliged, * And moft devoted fciv.^nt, E. Thoughtless.' Mlfs Betfy alfo anfvvered her brother's letter at the fame time ; but the purport of it being much the fame with that (he wrote to [nfly Trudy, there is no occafion for inferting it. CHAP. XXIX. Seems to bring things pretty near a concfufion. MISS Betfy was now in as happy a difpohtion as any of her friends, or even Mr. l>ue- worth himfelf could defire ; fhe lifiened to the confirmations he was every day giving her of his paflion, with the greateft affability, and much more (erioufnefs and attention, than fhe had been accu- itomed.- The quarrel (he had with Mifs Plora making her willing to avoid her as much as pofiible, he was frequently alone with her whole hours toge- ther, and had all the opportunities he could wifh of cultivatiiig the eflcem, (he made no fcruple of con- fefiing Ihe had for him. As Mr. Stap'e was now gone out of town, purfuant to the refolution he had taken, and no other rival, at leaft none en- couraged by Mifs Betfy, had as yet fcconded him, he had all the reafon in the world to flatter himftlf, that the accomplifhment of his wifhes were not far diftant. Plays. ——operas. and mafquerades, were now beginning to come in vogue, and he had the fatisfadion to fee his miftrefs refufe whatever tirkets were 2 5 J. 7/^^ HI S TO R Y ^/ were offered her for thole diverfions, by any of tliff gentlcau-n who vifited lady Mcllafin, and at the fame time readily agreed to accompany him to thefc,, or any other public entertainments, whenever he re- queued that favour of her. Mifb Betfy's behaviour in this point, however had more the air, than tliC reality of kindnefs to Mr. Trueworth ; for in efrefl it was nut becaufe Hie would not accept of tickets from any other per- fon than himfclF, but becaufe they were offered by gentlemen of lady Mellafin'sacquauitaiiCe, and con- fequentiy, in refpeci: to her, Mifs Flora had the fame iliare in the invitation, with whom Cne was determined never more to be feen abroad. This requiied fume fort of contrivance, to be managed in fuch a manner as to give no umbrage to Mr. Goodman, or lady Mellafin, fur the former of whom ilie had always a very great cfteem, and did notchufe, to alTard the latter any caufe of com- plaint againd her, while fhe continued to live in the fame houfe. ^^The method (he took therefore to avoid a tiling fodifygreeable to her, and at the fame time to give no occafion of ofu^nce, was always to iniike choice of on$ diverfion, when flie knew Mifs Flora was pre-en-gsged to another. To partake of thefe pleafiires, which Mr. True- worth, feeing into her temper, was almod every cfay prefenting, flie invited fometimcs one lady, fometimes another of thofe {he converfed with ; but the per fon who moil: frcquei"''dy accompanied her, was Mifs Mabel, a young lady, who lived in the iiextdreet, and whom fhe had been acquainted with ever fmce her coming to Londoiv, but had not been altogether (o agreeable to her, as (he really deferved, and otherwife would have been, if lady Mellafin- and Mifs Flora had not reprefented her as a prying, cenforious ill-natured creature, and, in fine, given her all the epithets which compofe the chara£ler of a prude. Slie Mifs Betsy Thought lej^s. 235 She was, indeed, both in principles and behavi- our the very reverfe of Mifs Flora ; fhe was modcft without afFedation, rcferved without auderity,— -chearful without levity,— compaf- fionate and benevolent in her nature,- and, to crown all, was perfe^f^ly fmcere : Mifs Betfy had never wanted penetration enough to fee, and to admire the amiible q jalities of this young lad)-, nor had been at all influenced by the cnarae, he is at leail afhamed to conftls they are i\> j aud the lady 1 jull mentioned, whiip^rs it in all compc.nies, that a inaruige with y u is of ali tliin^s in the * world the iarthelt from his thougiiti" He pbinly fays, that he tut tiiflcs with you, 'till your brothers come to town, and will then find fome pre:tnce to break entirelv with you,— - * perhaps, on the fcore of fortune ; but of th^.t I am not poflti>'e,«— — I only rept^at Tome part of thofeunhaiidiomecxprclTionshii unw-orihy tongue h^ uttered. ' But, madam, as I have given you this intelli- gence, {o I think it my duty to offer you feme * advice for your behaviour, in fo nice and critical * a juncture. As he threatens to abandon vou on the arrival of your brothers, I fnouid think, that if you forbid him your p:efence, 'till that time, it would not only be a fure t.uchflone of ' his affection, but aifo be a means of clearing y< ur reputation from thofe bltmifnes it has received on his account. -After Vrhat I have faid, I believe it would be needlefs to add, that the lefs freely ' you converfe with Mifs Mabel, the lefs vou will ' fufFer, both in the judgment of the world, and * your own future peace of mind. ' Slight not this counfel, becaufe given behind * the curtain, but be afTured it comes from one, * who is, ' With the finccreft attachment, ' Mai:>am, * Your moit humble ' Though concealed fervjint.' If 230 The H I S TO R Y cf If Mifs Bctfy had received this letter a very fmall time before (he did, it might probably have wrought on her all the efFcd it was intended for ; but fhe had fcarce read it half through, before the lucky difcovery of Mifs P'lora's bafenefs, fo feafonably made to her by Mr. Saving, came frefh into her mind, -and fl^e was at no lofs to guefs at the mali- cious purpofe, and the author of it, though wrote in a hand altogelher a ftranger to her. She doubted not but it was a^trick of Mifs Flo- ra's, to caufe a ftparation between her and Mr, Trueworth ; but the motives, v/hich had inftigatcd her to do this, were not in her power to conceive. ' *' Revenge for her difappointed expectations," /aid ilie to htrk]^^ '* might make her take the " fteps (he did, on Mr. Saving's account ; but *' udiat has Mr. Trueworth done to her ? He never pretended love to her,— he neither flat- tered, or deceived her vanity,— -it mufl be there- fore only a wicked propenfity,-— an envious,-— unfcxrial difporiticn,---a love of mifchief implant- ed in her nature, and uncorredted by reafon or principle, that has induced her to be guilty of this poor,-— low, enervate fpight j but 1 am re- folved to mortify it." She was not long confidering in what manner fhe fhould proceed, to do as fhe had faid, and, I be- Jicve the reader will acknov/ledge, flie hit upon one, as effedlual for that end as could have been contrived. She appeared extremely gay the whole time of xlinner, and as foon as it was over, " I will pre- *' fent )^ou with a defcrt, Sir," faid fhe to Mr. Goodman : " I'll (hew you what pains has been ta- *' ken to break off my acquaintance with Mr. True- *' worth, by fome wretch, who either envies me the " honour of his alicciions, or him the place they i- *' marine he has in miiKi but, I befcech you, read " it," M'ifs Betsy Thoughtless. 239 '^ it," continued (lie, " and I will appeal to ycu> «' lady Mellafin, at^d Mifs Flora, if ever there " was a more ftupid plot." " Stupid enough, indeed," cried the honed merchant, as Toon as he had done reading, " but " it is yet more bafe. 1 am glad, however," continued he, " to find your good feiife prevents " you from being impofed upon by fuch artifices." — — " This is {o iLallow a one," anfw^ered flie, *' that a very fmail ihare of underftanding might *' ferve to defend any one from being deceived by " it. 1 pity the weaknefs, while 1 dtfpifc the *' bafencfs of fuch mean incendiaries ; Mr. *' Trurworth, however, will fare the better for *' this attempt againfl: him ; I will now make no *' fcruple of preferring him to all mankind btfides, *' -—and perhaps, when my brothers arrive, fliall *' confent to every thing he defires." Lady iMcliafin could not help applauding the fpi- rit and refolution flie fliewed on tliis occafion, and Mr. Goodman was quite charmed with it ; and both of them joined in the feverert: exclamations a- gainft the folly and wickedncfa of the kttcr-writer ; but Mifs Flora faid Httle, and as foon as £he coi Id quit the table with decency, Vv'ent up into her chamber, faying, (he had a piece of work in hand, which {he was in hafte to finifli. If Mifs Betfv had wanted any confirmation of the truth of her fufpicions, the looks of Mifs Flora, during this v/hole difcourfe, would have removed all doubt in her, and the opportunity of venting the rplccn Ihe had To juflly conceived againft her, w ith- out fteming to do fo, gave her a moft exquifite fa- tisfaclion. CHAP. 240 The HISTORY of CHAP. XXX. Is the better for being Jhort, r^ IS S Flora retired to her chamber, ind«eJ, V JL not to employ herfelf in the manner (he pre- tei).led, but to give a loofe to paflions more inor- diriate and outrageous, than it would naturally be believed could have taken pofTefiion of fo young a heart. But it is now high time to let the reader fee into the fecret fprii^gs, which let her wicked v/it in mo- tion, and induced her to ad in the mannei (lie had done. Through the whole courfe of the preceding pages, many hints have been given, that the incli- nations of this young lady were far from being un* blameable, and it will not feem Ih'ange, that a per- fon cf the difpofition llie^has all along teftitied, fhould envy and malign ihofe charms (he every day fav/ fo much extolled, and preferred above her own ; but we do not oidinaiiiy find one, who all gay and free, like her, and* who various times, and for various obj.;i61s, had eypcrienceJ thcfe emotions which we call love, ihould, all at once, be infpired with a pafTioi) po lefs ftrious, than it was violent, for a perfon, who never made the ieail: addrefles to her on that account. Yei {o in effect it was : Mr. Trueworth had been but a very few times in her company, before fhe began to entertain defires for h'^r fair friend.— Whenever fhe had an opportunity of fpecking to him alone, fhe made him many advances, which he either did not, or would not iiiterpiet in the fenib file meantuhem.-^ This coldnefs, inf^ead of a- bating, but the more inflamed her vvifhcs, and look? ing on the pafiion he haJ for Mifs Betfy, as the onl) impediment to the gratification of her inclina- tions. Mi/} Betsy Thoughtl'SS'^. 241 tions, {he curft his conftancy, and the beauties which excited it. So true is that obfervation of Mr. Dryden, ' Love ! various minds docs varioufly infpire ; * He ftirs in gentle natures gentle fires, * Like that of incenfe on the altar laid j ' But raging flames tempeftuous fouls invade. * A fire which ev'ry windy pafllon blows, ♦- With pride it mounts, and with revenge it ' glows.' Mifs Flora was not of a temper, either to bear the pangs of hopelefs love, in filent grief, or to give way too readily to dtfp. ir. In fpite of the indifference (he found her v If treated with by Mr. Trueworth, (he was not without hope, that if {he could by any means occasion a difunion between him and Mifs Betfy, he would then be brought to calt his eyes on her, and return her ilame with feme de- gree of ardency. It was for this end {he had taken fo much pains in endeavouring to perfwade Mifs Bctfy, either to write, or fufFer her to go to Mr. Staple, in ordtr, as fh.e pretended, to undeceive that gentleman in his opinion, that {he was in love with Mr. True- worth j but her intentions, in reality, were to make him believe, that he himfelf was the favoured perfon, and had much the advantage over his rival in the afFe^iions of his miflrefs .— Th's {he doubted not would make him quit his refolution cf g' inj into the country, and encourage him to rencv/ his courtfhip with the fame fervency as ever. The pride {he knew Mifs Betfy took in a muliipU- city of lovers, and the equality with which ilie had carried herfelf between him and Mr. Trueworth, and which probably {he wou'd continue, feemed to afford her a. fair profpecSt of giving Mr. True- worth fo much caufe of difcontent, as to make him break off with a woman, who after what had paf- VoL I. M kd 342 r/je HISTORY of ^d made no diftin(5i:ion between him and the perfoii he had twice vanquiihed hi the field. She knew it would, at Icaft-j create a good deal of perplexi- ty among them, and delay, if not totally pre- vent, the completion of what (he fo much dread- ed. But this fcheme being rendered abortive, by the feafonable difcovery Mifs Betfy had made of her per- fidioufnefs, (he fet her wits to work for fome other new invention, and believing that Mifs Betfy 's pride would immediately take fire on the leaft fuf- picion of any infult being ofl:ered, either to her beauty or reputation, procured an agent to write the above inferted letter —-the efFe6t of which has been already fliewn. This difappointment was the more grievous to her, as (he had fo little expe£fed it : — fhe broke the flicks of her fan, tore every thing that came in her way, — flew about the room, like a princefs in a tragedy j — wanting the means of venting the rage ihe was poirefTed of in great things, fhe cxercifed it in fmail. — A fine petticoat of A4ifs Betfy 's hap- pening to hang on the back of a chair, (lie threw a Itandiih of ink upon it, as if by accident -, and it is no breach of charity to believe, would have fer- ved the owner in a mrch worfe manner, if her p&w- er had been equal to her will, and flie could have done it wiihcut danger to herfelf. I'oadd to the fury and diftraclion of her mind, continuing ftill in her chamber, and happeniiig to be' pretty near the window, (lie faw Mifs Betfy, Mifs Mabel, and Mr. Trucworth pafs by in a landiiu, that gentleman having, It fecms, invited thtfe la- dies on a party of pleafure :• " Ycu fhall net '' Jong cn;oy this fatisfaclion," cried fne to herfelf, " a it be in human wit to fcparate you;" '• but at this fight, the turbulent pii£l;ons of her foul tcccmingnurc gw*r*'^£ccus, *' O msy the machine " ti^at Jl///} Betsy Though tLE'^s. 245 '** that conveys you be thrown from ofFits wheels!'* purfued {he : " IVlay the wine you drink be poi- " foned ! — May the firft morfcl you attempt to ** fwallow, miftake ks way, and choak you in the « palTage !" Thus did {he rave, not like one poflefTed with feven, but feven thoufand fiends, and had perhaps remained in this wild way till }:er brain had been abfolutely turned, if lady Mellafin, having a great deal of company, had not pofitively commanded her to come down, &ftcr having fent fevcr&l times in more mild term?, to let her know what friends were there. It was fome days before the unhappy, and more ■wicked, Mifs Flora, could rccollcttt her fcattcrLd fenfts, enough for the contrivance of any further mifchief j but thofe evil fpirit?, to which Ihe had yielded but too much the maftery of her heart, and all its faculties, at length infpired her with, and enabled her in the execution of, a defign of the mcft barbarous kind, and which, for a time, flic faw fuc- cefsful, even to her moft fanguine expc61ations. But while (he was ruminating on projeds, which had neither virtue nor gencrofity for thtir patrons, Mifs Betfy pafled her days in that cheaifulncis which is the confi:ant companion of uncorrupteJ innocence, and a mind uninfluenced by any tem- peftuous paflions j — but as it is natural, even to the Iwceteft tempers, to take pleafure in the mortificati- on of thofe who have endeavoured to injure us with- out caufc given on our parts, flie could not forbear being highly diverted to fee the pains Mifs P'lora took to conceal the inward difturbance of her foul ; ■^the aukward excufes {he made, for the damacre done her petticoat, gave her more fatisfaiiion, than {he could have felt vexation for the fpoiling the bdft thing (he had in the world. Mifs Mabel, to whom Mifs Betfy had imparled M 2 xhe 244- 5^^'^ HISTORY of the whole of this affair, was not at all furprifed at that part of the letter which related to herfelf, as (lie had often been informed, by feveral of her acquaintance, of the character given of her by that malicious girl ; but neither of thefc young ladies could be able to imagine, as they fufpedled not her paflion for Mr. Trueworth, from what fource this pretended enmity to him was derived. It would certainly have greatly contributed to the happincl3 of that gentleman, to have known in what manner his miftrefs had refented the injuftice had been done him ; but Mifs Betfy forbore to let him into the fecret, as being already fufficiently convin- ced of the fincerity of his affed^ion, and would not put him to the trouble of giving her new proofs of it, by (liewing him the ridiculous accufation, anonj- moufly formed againft him. CHAP. XXXI. Contains fonie incidents which will he found equally i7itercfiing and entertaining^ or the author is very much mijlaken, MR. Trueworth had all the reafon imaginable from the whole deportment of Mifs Betfy to- wards him, to believe that there wanted little more for the conclufion of his marriage with her, than the arrival of her two brothers ; fhe had often told hirn, whenever he prcfTed her on that fcore, that {he would eive no definitive anfwer, till fhe had re- ceived the advice and approbation of the elder Mr. Thoughtlcfs. That gentleman was now expelled in a few days, and Mr. Francis Thoughtlcfs having intelligence of his being on his return, was alfo preparing to leave L e, in order to meet him on his firH: arrival in London 5 but during this fliort fpace of time^ fume Mifs Betsy Thovghtliss. 245 fome events fell out, which put a great damp on the gaiety of thofe, who had with fo much impati- ence wiflied for their approach. Mr. Trueworth had an aunt, who befides being the neareft relation he had living, and the only one in London, was extremely refpcded by him, on ac- count of her great prudence, exemplary virtue, and the tender afFedHon (he had always teftified for him. — This good lady thought herfelf bound by duty, as fhc was led by love, to make a thorough enqui- ry into the chara<5ler of the young pcrfon her ne- phew was about to marry : flic was acquainted with many who had been in company with Miu Betfy, and were witnefTes of her behaviour; — ■fhe afked the opini(in of thofe among them, whom (he looked upon as the moft cmdid, concerning the match nov.' on the carpet, and was extremely trou- bled to find their anfwers fuch, as were v.o way con- formable to the idea i'vlr. Trueworth had endea- voured to infpire her with of his millrefij's perfecti- ons :---they all, indeed, agreed that fhe was hand- fome,— wcll-fliapcd,— genteel,— had a great deal of wit, vivacity, and good- humour ; but ihook their heads when any of thofe requifites to m^ike the mar- riage- ftate agreeable were mentioned. Poor Mifs Betfy, as the reader has had but too much opportunity to obferve, was far from fetting forth to any advantage, the real good qualities Oie was poiTefled of :-— on the contrary, tiie levity of her conduct rather disfigured the native innocence of her mind, and the purity ot her intentions ; fo tiiat, according to the poet, * All faw her fpots, but few her brightnefs ' took/ The old lady not being able to hear any thin"- concerning her intended niece, but what was great- ly to her diflatisfad^ion, was continually remorulrat- ing to Mr. Trueworth, that the want of folidity in M 3 a wife 246 ^he HISTORY cf a wife was one of the worft misfortunes that could attend a marriage-ilate ;— -that the external beauties of the perfon could not atone for the internal de-. fccts of the mind ;- — that a too great gaiety du cceur, frequently led women into errors without their defigning to be guilty of them ; and conjured him to confider well before the irrevocable words> * I take you 'iiyx better *nd for worfc,' were paft, how ill it would fuit, either with his honour, or his peace of mind, if fhe whom he now wifbed to make his partner for life fhould, after (he became io^ beh," replied {lie, with a fcornful fmile ; *' but it v/as not tili he had enjoyed them all, and *' was grown paft the power of enjoying yet fur- *' ther :---whcn I am fo, 'tis polTible I may fay the " fime." Mr. Trueworth finding fhe was pretty much iiung at fome things he had faid, and confcious that in this (Jifcourfe he had in fome meafure forgot the rcfpeil due from a lover to his miftrefs, would not purfue the topic any farther, but, as artfully as he could, turned the converfation on things more a- grecable to Mils Betfy 's way of thinking : he could not, however, after they had parted, forbear ruminating on the contempt fhe had fliewn of a country life, and was not (o eafy as the lubmifllve- nefs of his pailion made him affe6t to be, on taking leave This was, however, a matter of flight mo- ment to him, when compared with what foon after cnfued. I believe, that from the lafl letter of Mifs For- ward M'fs Betsy Thoughtless. 249 ward to Mifs Betfy, the reader may fufpcfl it was not by a kinfman fhe was maintained ; bur it is proper to be more particulai on that affair, and Ihew how that unfortunate creature, finding ht-rftlf ut- terly diicarded by her father, and abandoned to the urmoft diftreHes,' accepted of the offer made her by a rich Jew merchant, of five guineas a week, to be his mifheTs. But as few women, who have once loll: the fenfe of honour, ever recover it agiin, but, on the con- trary, endeavour tolofea!) Lnfe of (hame a Ho, de- vote themfelvcs to vice, and act whatever intereil or inch'natlon prompts them to; Mifj; Forward could not content herfclf with the embraces, nor allow- ance of her keeper, but received both the prefcnis and carefTes of as many as Ihe had charms to at- tract. Sir Bazii I/Oveit wa? a great favourite with her, and if among fuch a pluraJity one might be faiJ ta have the preference, it was he : this young ba- ronet had been intimately acquainted with Mr.True- worth abroad ; ■ they had travelled toocthtr through the greateft part of Italy, and had been feparated only by Mr. Trueworth's being called home, on account of fome family affair. Sir Bazil being but lately arrived, they had not feen each other fince, 'till meeting by accident in a coffee- houfe, they renewed their former friend (hip. — After the ufual compliments, Mr. Trucworth propofcd pafling the evening together : to which Sir Buzil re- plied, that he (hould be glad of the opportunity, but was engaged to fup with a lady ; but f^iid he, after a paufe, 'tis where I can be free, and you fhall go with me. — To u^hichthe other having con- fcnted. Sir Bazil told him, as they were going towards the houfe, that there would be no occafion to ufe much ceremony ; for it was only to a lady of plea- furehe was conducting him ; but added, that fhe M 5 was 250 rz-f H I S T O R Y of was a fine girl,— feemcd to have been well brought up, --had been but lately come upon the town, and behaved with more modefty than moft of her profellion. Mr. Trueworth had never any great relifh for the converfation of thcfe fort of women, much lefs now, when his whole heart was taken up with an honourable paffion for a perfon, who, in fpite of the little errors of her condudt, he thought deferv- ing of his afFe(S^ions ; yet as he had given his pro- mifc, he imagined, that to go back would be too precifc, and fubje6t him to the raillery of his kfs fcrupulous friend. Mifs Forward, for it was fhe to whom this vi- fit was made, received them in a manner, which juflilied the character Sir Bazil had given of her.— There was, however, a certain air of libcrt'inifm, both in her looks and geflures, which would have convinced Mr. Trueworth, if he had not been told ib before, that fhe was one of thofe unhappy crea- tures, who make traffic of their beauty. The gen- tlemen had not been there above a quarter of an hour, before a maid-fervant came into the room, and told Mifs P'orward, that a young lady, who faid her name was Thoughtlefs, was at the door in a chair, and defired to fee hers *' O my dear *' Mifs Betfy Thoughtlefs," cried {he, defire her ^' to walk up immediately." This is lucky," faid Sir Bazil, " I wanted a companion for my *' friend, — iiow each man will have his bird."— — " Huili, " cried Mifs Forward, *' I can aflure *' you fhe is virtuous, — take care what you fay." Mr. 'Frueworth was fo much alarmed at hear^ inci: the name of Mifs Betfy, that being retired to a Vv'indow, in order to recover himfelf from the corifufum he was In, that he heard not what Mifs Forvv'ard had fuid to Sir Bazil : — Mifs Betfy pre, fently cnterij.g the room, Mifs Forward ran to em- brace Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 2^1 brace her, faying, " My dear Mifs Betfv, hoiv * glad am I to fee you ! — To which the ether re- ** turned, My dear Mifs Forward, how afhamed *' am I to have been fo long abfent ! — but one *' foolifli thmg or other has (lill prevented my ** coming." Sir Bazil then faluted her with a great deal of politenefs, though with Icfs rcfpedt than doubtlefs he would have done, had he fcen her in any other place. — Mr. Trueworth, who by this time had re- folved in what manner he fliould adi, now turned and advance towards the company, — Mifs Bctfy on feeing him, cried out, in fome furprife, '^ Mr. *' Trueworth ! good God ! v/ho thought of lind- ** ing you here?" — " You did not, madam, I ** dare anfvver," replied he with a very grave air, *' and as I little expected the honour of meeting •' you here." — O, you are acquainted thtn, faid Sir Bazil, laughing, '* this is merry enough, — I *' find we are all right." Mr. Trueworth made no dirc(Sl anfwcr to this, but endeavoured to afiume a gaiety conformable to that of the company he was in -.---after fome lit- tle time being paft in difcourfe on ordinary affairs, Mifs Forward took Mifs Betfy into the next room to return the money flie had been fo kind to lend her at Mrs. Nightfhade's, and told her, fhe had much to {jij to her, but could not be fo rude to leave the gentlemen for any long time.-- While they were abfent, which indeed was not above half a minute, " This is a delicious girl," faid Sir Ba- zil to Mr. Trueworth, " i'faith, Charles, you will •' have the beft of the market to-night."---What reply Mr. Trueworth would have made is uncer- tain,-— the ladies returned that inftant, and tlie converfation became extremely fprightly, though, on Sir Bazil's part, fjmctimes interfperfcd with ex- preilions not altogether confiftent with that deco- 252 ri'^ H I S T O R Y of rum, he would have obferved towards women of reputation. Mifs Betfy, far from thinking any ill herfclf, took every thing as well meant, and replied to whatever was uttered by this gay young gentleman, with a freedom, which, to thofe who knew her not perfe£lly, might juftly render her liable to cen- fure.--Mr. Trueworth would fain have taken fome fhare, if poflible, in this converfation, in order to conceal the perplexity of his thoughts, but all his endeavours were ineffe(?tual, and though his words w^ere fornctimes gay, the tone with which he fpoke them plainly (hewed, that his heart was very far from correfponding with his expreflions. Sir Eazil having ordered a handfome fupper, Mifs Bctfy flayed till it was over, and then rofe up, and took her leave, faying, ihe was obliged to go home, and write fome letters. — As none of them had any equipage there, a hackney coach was or- dered to be called, and Mr. Trueworth offering to accompany her, Sir Bazil, on waiting on them down flairs, faid to him fome merry things on the occafion, which, though Mifs Betfy did not com- prehend, her lover underflood the meaning of but too well for his peace of mind. CHAP. XXXII. Is yet more Inter ejling than the former, A N Y one may judge what a heart, pofTcfTed j\ of fo fincere and honourable a flame, as that ©f Mr, Trucworth's, muft feel, to fee the beloved object fo intimate with a common proflitute j it (hall fufHce dierefore to fay, that his anxieties were fuch as prevented him from being able to recover himfclf enough to fpeak to Mifs Betfy on that fub- ie«£t. as he would do ; he forbore mentioning it at ^ * all. Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 253 all, and faid very little to her on any other, while they were in the coach, and having feen her fafc into Mr. Goodman's houfc, took his leave, and went home, where he pafTcd a night of more vexa- tion than he ever had before experienced. Fain would he have found fomc excufe for Mifs Betfy's condu£t in this point,--- fain would he have believed hjr innocent as fhe was lovely, but couKl not tell how to conceive there was a polhbility for true virtue to take delight in the company of vice ; but were there even fuch a thing in nature, the fliew of encouraging an infamous action, he knew not how to brook in a woman he intended to make his wife. He now acknowledged the juftice of his aunt's remunftrances ; and by what the levity of M\(i Bctfy made him at prefcnt endure, forcfaw what hii honour and his peace of mind muft hereafter con- tinually endure, if he (hould once become a huf- band ; never were thoughts fo divided,— fo flu(5tuating as his; — his good underftanding, and jcaloufy of honoyr, convinces! him, there could be no lafting happinefs with a pcrfon of Mifs Betfy's temper ; but then the paflion he had for her, flat- tered him with the hopes, that as all the faults (he was guilty of, fprung rather from want of confidc- ration than defign, fhe might be reafoned out of them, when once he had gained fo far upon her af- fections, as to find he might take the liberty of painting them to her in their proper colours. He often afked himfelf the queftion, whether he could be able to break with her or not ; and finding by the pangs, which the very idea of an utter reparation inflicSted on him, that he could not, had no other meafures to take than to fubmit with patience, to appear fatrsfied with every thing that pleafcd her, aiid to contrive all the methods he could, without her p^^rceiving he did fo> of Iteahns;, 254 ^^e HIST DRY of by gentle degrees, into her mind, a difrellfli of fuch things as were unbecoming in her. He had but juft rofe from a bed, which that night had afforded him but Httle repofe, when he was told Sir Bazil Loveit, to whom he had given liis diredlions the day before, was come to wait up* on him.--- Mr. Trueworlh was very glad of it, be- ing impatient to undeceive him in the opinion he found he had entertained of Mifs Betfy.---They had not been three minutes together before the o- ther gave him an opportunity, by fome facetious interrogatories concerning the tranfaciions of the pad night, and among the red, after looking round the room, aflced him, how he had difpofed of his pretty Beefy ? To all v.'i)ich Mr. Trueworth re- plied, with a very ferious air, *' Sir Bazil, though " I muft ov/n there are many appearances to juftify *' your midake, yet, I hope, my word and ho- ** nour will out-ballance them.--- I do adure you, " Sir, that lady, whom you think and fpeak fo *' lightly of, Is a woman of fortune, family, and *' reputation."—— I am forry then,'' faid Sir Ba- '' zil, very much furprifed, " I treated her in the *' manner I did. My Nancy, indeed," con- tinued he, meaning Mifs Forward, " told me fiie " was virtuous, but I did not regard what ihe faid ** on that fcore ; 1 know it is a trick among '* them to fct off one another, to draw in *' us men : but priihee, dear Charles, are you in *' earned ?" Mr. Trueworth then, after hav- ing made a fecond adeveration that he was dncerc in what he faid, proceeded to give him fome ac- count of Mifs Betfy's family, circumdances, and manner of life ; adding, that nothing could be more furprifmg to him, than to have met her in that place ; *' but," faid he, *' ihe mud certainly *' be unacquainted with the chara6ler of the wo- •* man die came to vidt." ** Such Mlfs Betsy Thoughtless. 255 ** Such a thing might pofTibly happen,** replied Sir Bazil, *' and I think you would do well to give " her a hint of it." Doubtlefs, "(cried the other, *' lam bound to do fo, firft by my own honour, *•• and next by the friendihlp I have for fome of " her kindred." — No farther difcourfe pafled be- tween them on this fcore, and the remaining time they were together, being taken up on matters al- together foreign to the bufinefs of this hiftory, there is no occafionfor making any mention of it. Sir Bazil ftayed (o long, that when he had ta- ken his leave, it was too late for Mr. Trucworth to make a morning vifit to Mifs Bctfy, as he in- tended to have done, fo was obliged to defer it till the afternoon, though fince his firft acquaintance with her, he never had felt more impatience to fee her. As he had much in his head to fay to her, on the fubjecSt of the preceding day, he went as foon as he thought dinner v/as entirely over at Mr. Goodman's, in order to have an opportunity of talking with her, before any other company came in : — (he was then in her chamber dreffing, but he waited not long before fhe came down, and appeared more lovely and dazzling in his eyes than ever. — This happened to be the firft day of her putting on a very rich, and extremely well-fancied gown, and either becaufe it was more becoming than any of thofe he had feen her in before, or becaufe of the pleafure ladies of her age and humour generally feel on fuch occafions, a more than ufual brightnefs (hone in her eyes, and was difi-'ufed through all her air; and after having made her fome compliments on the elegance of her tafte in drcfs, '• I fu. pofe, '* madam," faid he, " thus fet forth, and equip- " pcd for corqueft, you do not mean to ft ay at ** home this evening."---*' No, indeed," replied ihe, ** I am told there is a new tragedy to be atftcd " to-niii,ht 256 The HISTORY $f *' to n'uht at Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, and I would *' not for the world mifii the firft night of a new "' play." On this Mr. Trueworth afked if he might have leave to wait upon her there?-—" With all my " heart," anfwered (he, " none of the gemlemen " of my acquaintance know any thing of my go- " ing, fj could not offer to gallant me, and there " is onlv one lady goes with me."---'* Mifs Ma- *' bel, i guefs," cied Mr. Trueworth.— No," anfwered Mifs Betfy, " (he is engaged to the other *' houfe to-night, fo I fent to defire the favour of *' that lady, you faw me with laft nigiit, to give, *' me her company." " You will have more if you have her^^, I doubt *' not," faid he ; *' but fure, madam, you can- *' not think of being feen with a woman of her " fame, in a place fo public as the playhoufe."--- Mifs Betfy was aftonifhed to hear him fpeak in this manner, and demanded of him, in fomewhat of a haughty tone, what it was he meaned ? " Firft,, *' madam," refumed Mr. Trueworth, " give me *' leave to a(k you, how long fmce, and by what '' accident, your intimacy with this woman com- *' menced ?"---Though your interrogatories," re- plied (he, " are made in fuch a fafliion, as might ** well excufe me from anfwering them, yet for *' once I may give you the fatisfad^ion you defire; <« -—Mifs Forward and I were together at the *' boarding-fchool,— we mutually took a liking to ** each other, I believe from a parity of humours *' and inclinations, and fmce her coming to Lon- ** don have renewed that friendfhip we began in *' our more tender years.'* " Friendfhips begun in childhood, madam,'* anfwered he with a very grave air, *' ought to be *' continued or broke off, according as the parties ** perfevere in innocence, or degenerate into vice *' anJ • c Mifs Betsy Thoughtless, ic^y and infamy. "-This caution ought to be more pe- " culiarly obferved in perfons of your fex, as re- •' putation in you once loft, is never to be rc- ** tricved.-- -Remember, madam, what your fa- *' vourite author Mr. Rowc fays on this occafion : *' In vain with tears the lofs fhe may deplore, "J " In vain look back to what fhe was before, ?• " She fcts, hke ftars that fall, to rife no more. 3 Mifs Betfy was fo piqued at thefe remonftranccs, that ilie had fcarce patience to contain herfelf, 'till he had given over fpeaking. **Goodlack," cried The, " how fcntentious you are grown !— -but, I hope, " you have not. the infolcnce to imagine I am '* guilty of any thing that might juftly^ call my re- " putation in qiuth. In fine, they went, but the houfe being very full, and the fellow, who had been fent to keep places for them, going fome what too late, they were obliged to content themfelvcs with fitting in the thi;d row. — This, at another time, would have been a matter of fome mortification to Mifs Betfy ; but in the humour fhe now was, to fhew hcrfelf was the Jeafl of her care — .Never had flie entered any place of publick entertainment with fo little fiitisfadion ; Mr. Trueworth's words ran very much in her mind; fhe had loft no part of them, and though fhe could not bring herfelf to approve of the freedom he had taken, yet, in her heart, fhe couid not tor- bear confefling, that his admonitions tefiifyed the nioft zealous and tender care for her reputation ; and if given by any one, except a lover, would have demanded more of her tliauki than her rcfentment But* 262 The HISTORY cf But, alas ! thofe ferious confiderations were but of fliort duration :— the brillant audience, the mufick,-— the moving fcenes exhibited on the ftage, and above all the gallantries, with which herfelFand Mifs Forward were treated, by feveral gay young gentlemen, who, between the acts, prefented them with fruits and fweet-meats, foon diffipated all thofe reflections, which it was fo much her intereft to have cherifhed, and fhe once more relapfed into her for- mer felf. Towards the end of the play, there were two rakes of diftin6lion, that ftuck very clofc to them, and when it was ended, took the liberty to invite them to fup at a tavern j-'-Mifs Betfy ftarted at the motion, but was very well pleafed to find Mifs Forward fhewed an equal diflike to it.-—*' You *' will give us leave then," cried one of the gentle- men, " to guard you fafc home, ladies V " That I think, my dear,'' faid Mifs Forward to Mifs Betfy, *' may be granted, for the f^ke of " being protected from the infults of thofe, who " may know lefs how to behave tov/ards our fex.*' Mifs Betfy making no oppofition, they all four went in a hackney-coach to Mifs Forward's lodg- ing, it being agreed upon between them, that Mifs Betfy {hould be, fet down there, and take n chair from thence to Mr. Goodman's. ---Nothing inde- cent, nor that could be any way {hocking to the moft ftri6l modefty, being offered during their paf- fage, on their alighting from the coach at Mr. Screener's door, Mifs Forward thought, that to afk them to come in would incur no ccnfure from her fair friend, as they had behaved with fo much civility and complaifance ;— accordingly Ibe did fo, and they, who expc6ted no lefs, took each maa his lady by the hand, and immediately tript up ftairs. Mifs Betfy did not prefently make any offer to go Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. i6^ go home, becaufe (he thought it would appear very odd in her to kave her companion, witli two ftrange gentlemen.— She little gueiTed the defigns they had in their heads, and doubted not but they would foon take leave ; --flie did not, however, continue in this miftake for many minutes, for one of them drawing Mifs Forward to a vt^indow, in order to fpeak to her with more privacy, the other, that he might have the better opportunity to do fo, ad- drefTed himfcif to Mifs Be.fy, '' How kiliiiTg " handfome you arc," faid he, taking her by both her hands, and looking full in her face, *' VVhat a *' pity it is you did not ihine in the front to-night ? *' By my foul you would have out-dazzled all the *' titled prudes about you.'* " Pifli,'* replied flie, " I went to fee the play, " not to be feen myfclf." '' Not to be fcen I" cried he, " why then have you taken all this pains " to empty the whole quiver of Cupid's arrows to *' new point thofe charms you have received from *' nature ? — ^Why does the jcflamine, and the *' blooming violet play wanton in your liair ?• *' Why is the patch with fo much art placed on *' the corner of this ruby lip,- and here another •' to mark out the arched fymmetry of the jetty *' brown ? Why does the glittering folitaire hang *' pendant on the fnowy breaft, but to attract, and '* allure us poor, admiring men, into a pleafing " ruin r" Mifs Betfy anfwcred this raillery in its kind, and as (he had a great deal of ready v\'it, would foon perhaps, had the fame ftrain continued, have left the beau nothing to fay for himfelf ; but Mifs For- ward, and the other gentleman having finiflied what they had to (iiy, comini^ towards them, put an end to it. " What do you think," cried Mifs For- ward, " this gentleman fwears he won't go out of *' the houfe, till I eivc him leave to fend for a fup- " per V 464 ' The HISTORY of •« per ?**— — " You may do as you pleafe,*' faid Mils Betfy, " but I muft be cxcufed from flaying *' to partake of it." Whether (he was really in earneft or not, is not very material, but her refufal was looked upon only as a feint, and they prefled her to tarry in fuch a manner, as fhc could not well avoid complying, even though (he had been more averfe, in effed, than for fomc time fhe pretended to be. The converfation was extremely lively, and tho* fprinkled with fome double entendres, could not be faid to have any thing indecent, or that could raife a blufh in the faces of women who were accuflomed to much company.— Mifs Betfy had her (hare in all the innocent part of what was faid, and laughed at that which was no lefs fo.-— But not to dwell on trifles, (he forgot all the cautions given her by Mr. Trueworth,-— confidered not that flie was in the company of two ftrange gentlemen, and of a wo** man vv^hofe characSkr was fufpciled ; nor, though fhe had a watch by her fide, regarded not how the liours paiTed on, 'till fhe heard the nightly monitor of time, cry, '' Paft twelve o'clock, and a cloudy "• morning." After this fhe would not be prevailed upon to fl:ay, and defircd Mifs Forward to fend fomcbody for achair,— -*' A chair, madam," cried that gen- tleman, who, of the two, had been mofl particu- lar in his addrefles to her, " you cannot furc ima- " gine we fliould fufFer you to go home alone at " this late hour ?"---'' I apprehend no great dan- " ger," faid fhe, though I confefs it is a thing I '* have not been accuftomed to,"— He replied, that in his company fhe fhould not begin the e.vpc- riment :— on this a coach was ordered. ---Mifs Bet- fv made fome few fcruples at committing herfelf to thecondu6l of a pcrfon fo little known to her. " All acquaintance muft have a beginning," faid he. M//5 Betsy Thoughtless. 26,5 he, '' the mod intimate friends were perfe»5l ftrang- *' ers at firft. You may depend upon it I am a " man of honour, and cannot be capable of an ungenerous action." Little more was faid on the occafion, and beins told a coach was at the door, they took leave tjf Mifs Forward, and the other gentleman, and went down itairs. ■■ Qn flepping into the coach, Mifs Betfy dired^ed the man where to drive ; bur the gentleman, unheard by her, ordered him to go to the bagnio in Orange-ftreet. They were no fooner feated, and the windows drav/n up, to keep out the cold, than Mifs Uetfy was alarmed with a treatment, which her want of confidcration made her little expe6t : — fmce the gentleman-commoner, at Oxford, no man had ever attempted to take the liberties which her prefent companion now did :— fhe ftruggled, — flic repelled with all her might, the infolent prcfTures of his lips and hands- " Is •* this," cried fhe, " the honour I was to depend up- *' on ? Is it thus you prove youifelf incapable *' of an ungenerous adionr" " Accufe me " not," faid he, *' 'till you have reafon.- I " have been bit once, and have made a vow never to fettle upon any woman while I live again ; r-but you fliall fare never the worfe for that, 1 will ma^e you a handfome prefent before we part, and if you can be conflant will allow you fix guineas a week." She was {o confounded at the fiift mention of this impudent propofal, that fhe had not the povyer of interrupting him \ but recovering herfelf, as well as flie was able, *' Heavens!'* cried (he, " what " means all this ? —What do you take me for ?"— *' Take you for," anfwered he laughing, '* pri- " thee, dear ^irl, no more of thefe airs :- I take " you for a pretty,— kind, --obliging creature, and " fuch I hope to find vou, as foon as we come Vgl. L N «» into 266 The II I S TOR Y cf " into a proper pl.ice.— In the mean time," con- tinued he, liopping her mouth with kifles, " none *' of this affected coynefs." 7'he fright fhe was in, aided by difdain and rage, now infpired her with an unufual llrength , — fhe broke from him, thrud: down the window,—- and with one breath called him monfter, —villain ; — • with the next fcreamed out to the coachman to Hop, and finding he regarded not her cries, would have throv/n herfelf out, if not forcibly withheld by the gentleman, who began now to be a little ftartled at her refolute behaviour, — " What is all " this for,'* faid he ? *' would you break your ** neck, or venture being crufhed to pieces by the *^ wheels ?" — '*' Any thing," cried fhe, burfHng into tears, " I will venture, fuffcr any thing, " rattier than be fubjedted to infults, fuch as you " have dared to treat me with " Though the perfon by whem Mifs Bctfy was thus dangeroufiy attacked was a libertine, or, ac- cording to the more genteel and modifh phrafe, a man of pleafure, yet he wanted neither honour, nor good fcnfc :--hc had looked on Mils Betfy as a woman of the town, by feeing her with one who v;as fo ; and her too great freedom in converfation, gave him no caufe to a^ter his opii i )n ; but the manner in which (lie had endeavoured to rebuff his more near approaches, greatly daggered him :— he knew not what to think, but remained in filent cogitation for fome minutes, and though he held her fafl: clafped round the waffc, it war) o Ay to pre- vent her from attempting the violence fhe had threat- ened, not to offer any towards her : — " Is it pof- *' fible," faid he, after this paufe, *' that you ^rc *' virtuous r" — " I call- luaven to witnefs," an- fwcred fhe, with a voice faultering, through the exeefs of terror and indignatioji, " that I never have '^' entertained one tlxought xhcX was not flri6l)y fo ; " — ^that Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 267 *' that I dcteft and fcorn thofe wretched crea- *' tures of the number of whom you imagine me *' to be one ; and that I would fooner die the worft ** of deaths, than live with infamy. — Yes, Sir, be *' aiTijred," continued flie, gathering more courage, " that v/hatever appearances may be this fatal night ** agalnft me, lam of a family of fome confide- " ration in tlic world, and am blcft with a fortune, " which fcts me above the low temptations of dc- " figning men/' As flie had ended thefe words, they came to the bagnio, and the coach immediately flopping, two or three waiters came running to opc^n the door, on which Mifs Bt^tfy, more terrified than ever, flirii kcd in a mod piteous manner, " O God !" cried fliP, " "^Vhat's here ?--. Where am I? -- What will " become of me ?" And at that indant recollected, that no help was near ; — that flie was in the pov.- er of a man, whofe aim was her eternal ruin ;— - and that it was by her own indifcretion alone, this mifchief had fallen on her, was fo overcome with the dread, -the fname,--- the horror, as flie then fuppofcd of her inevitable fate, that flie was very near falling i\,to a fwoon. I'he gentleman difcovering, by the light of the lamps at the bagnio door, the condition flic was in, was truly touched with it. — " Retire,** faid he, hadily, to the follows, *' we do not want you." — Then throwing himfelf on his knees before her, " Let this podure, madam," continued he, *' obtain your pardon, " .^nd at the fame time eafe '* you of all apprehenfions on m}' fcore." — " May '* 1 believe you ?" faid flie, ftill weeping. — *' You ^' may, replied he ; then rifling, and placing him- felf on the feat oppcfite to her, " I lox e my .'* pleafures, and think it no crime to indulge the " appetites of nature. I am charmed with the kind free woman, but I honour and revere th.e N 2 *' truly (( 26S lie H I S T O R Y of *' truly virtuous, and it is a maxim with me never •'• to attempt the violation of innocence. Thcfe, *' madam, arc my principles in regard to your fcxj *' but to convince you further, Here, fel- " low,'^ continued he to the coachman, who was walking backwards and forv/ards at fomc diitance, • -*' gdt up into your box, and drive where you «' were lirft diredled." Mifs Betfy acknowledged th.e generofity of this behaviour, and, on his afl^ing by what accident it had happened, that he found her in company with a woman of Mils P^orward's characSler, (he told him ingenuoufl; the truth, " ■ that they knew each other wlien children in the country ; but that (he had not fcen her more than three times fince their coming to London, and was entirely ignorant of her condufl from that time. He then took the liberty of reminding her, that a young lady niore endangered her reputation, by an acquaintance with one woman of ill fame, than bv receiving the vifits of twenty men, though pro- felled libertines. — To which fhe replied, that for the future CvxQ (liould be very careful what company fhe kept, of both fexes. This v/as the fum of the converfation, that pafTed between them during their little ftp^^e to Mr. Good- man's, where being fafely arrived, after having fcen her within the doors, hefaluted her with a great deal of refpe fide. 270 The HISTORY of fide. Aniongu: the crowd of tormenting ideas, the remembrance, tliat ilie owed all the vexation fne laboured under, entirely to the act]ua;ntance (be had with Mifs Forward, came ftrong into her .thoughts, and fhe had oot rofe the whole day, if not moved to it by the impatience of venting her fplcen on that unfortunate woman, which (he did, in a letter to her containing thefe lines : To Mifs Forward. * T AM forry that the ccmpalTion, which your ' -«- feigned contrition for one falfe frep obliged me * to take in your misfortunes, f]:iould make you *■ imagine I would continue any converfation with * you, after knowing you had abandoned yourfelf * to a courfe of life, which I bluili to think any of * my fex can defcend to brook the thoughts of^ * much more to be guilty of. ——If you had re- ' tained the lead: fpark of generofity, or good-will * towards me, you would rather have avoided than coveted my company, as you muft be fenfibie that to be feen with you muft render me, in fome meafurc, partaker of your infamy, though whol- ly ir;noccnt of your crimes.— — -How bafe, • ■• * how cruel is fuch a behaviour, efpccially to one, ' v/ho had a real regard for you, even after you ' liad confcfled yourfelf unv/orthy of it ; —but I ' have been often told, and now 1 iind the obferva- tion j'jfr, that women of your wretched principles being lofl: to all hope of happinefs themfelvcs, take a malicious pleafure in endeavouring to deftroy it m otliers, ' But, for heaven's fake, what could induce you to dcfire a continuation of a correfpondence with me ? — —What did you take me for? — Did you imagine me fo blind, as not to fee into the {hame- ful means by which you are fupportcd. or fa ^ weak as to forfeit all the reputation and refpedt I ' have iT///SBETSV THOUGHTLrfi:. 27! have in the v.'orld, mecrly to comply with your requeft. — No ! — your conckidt is too bartfacecj, to give me even the fliadow of an excufe for evtr feeing you again : do not therefore, ^o about to varniih over actions, whufe fou]i:efs will appear through all the colours you can daub them v.ith. Thelrien.lliip I once h.id for you has already pleaded all that yourfelf could urge in your de- fence, but the caufe is too bad, and I mull: leave you to the mifcries which attend reniorfe, and which a little time will infallibly bri: g on. Heavens ! to be a common proflitute ! — To earn precarious bread by being the Have of every • man's licentious will. — What is digging in the mines !---\V^hat is begging .'---VVhat is ltar\in„^, when compared to this ?-— But the idea is lovi fiiockingi-'-mouefly fnud jers at it,— I fhall ilrlvfj both that and you as diftant from my thotghrs as pofHblc, fo be aiTured this is the Jaf: lime ycu Vv-ili ' ever hear from the * Much deceived, * And ill-treated, " I). Thoughtless.* Sh.e vvasjuft- going to feal up the above letter, when a fudden thought coming into her head, fhe added, to vviiat ilie had already wrote, this pofl- fcript ; ' P. S. You may perhaps be inftigatcd to anfwcr ' this, either through refentment for the re- ' proaches it contains, or through f^^mc remains ' of modcfty, to attempt an apology for the oc- ' cafion J but I would not wifli you Oiould give ' yourfelfthat trouble, for beafTured I fliall read ' nothing that comes from you, and that what- < ever you fend, v/ill be returned to you again * unopened.' N 4 Sh€ 272 rie H I S T O R Y (;/ She Immediately fent this away by a porter, and having fatisfied the didUtes of her indignation a- gainlt Mifs Forward, fne had now done with her, and refolvcd to think of her no more ; — yet was theconfufion of her mind far from being dilUpatcd. — " What will Mr. Trueworth fay,'"' cried fhc to herfflf, " if ever the ridiculous adventure of laft " night fliould reach his ears, as nothing is more '* probable, than that it may ?— - What will my " brother Frank fay, on hearing fuch a ftory ?— " W^hat Mr. Goodman and lady A^ellalln fay?- — *' What a triumph for the envious Mifs Plora ? — ■*' And what can I anfwer for myfelf, either to my •' friends, or enemies ?'^ Little care as this young lady had fcemed to have taken of her reputation, it was notwithdanding very dear to her. ---Honour was yet ftill more dear, and (he could not refiecfl:, that what fhe had done might call the one in quefrion, and how near (he had been to having the other irrecoverably loft, without feeling the mod bitter agonies ; (lie was not able to drcfs^, or to go down frairs that day, and gave or- ders to be denied to whoever fliould come to viiit Lcr. Va this perplexed fituation of mind let us leave her for a while, and fee with v/hat fort of temper Mr. True^vorth behaved, after luvlng fcen her go ;.o the very woman he had fo much coijured her to avoid. Ail the love he had for her, ^would not keep him from rcfcnting this laft rebuff; — he thought he had i:c>tdeferved fuch ufage, nor that his having profef- fcd himftif her lover, gave her the privilege of treating him as her flave :---the humour he was in makir.g him unftt for company, he went diredly to I/is lodgings ; but had not been long there before it came into his head, that poffibly the manner in which file had behaved was only a fit of contra- dldioH Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 27.^ diction, and, that after all, (he might, when iQic ' was out of hearing, have given counter orders- to the chairmen, and v/as neititer gone to Mifs For- ward's, nor would accompany her to the play.--- With fuch vain imaginations does love fometimes flatter itij votaries, and the finccre and ardent flame, which filled the heart ot Mr. T'ruev/oi th, made him greedily catch at every fuppofition, in favour of the darling objed^. Willing, however, to be more affurcd, he be- thought him of a llratagem, which would either relieve all the doubts remaining in him of her oh- ftinacy, or convince him, they were but too juft : ---he fcnt immediately to his barber for a black perriwig, and muflicd up in a cloak, {o as to ren- der italmod an impoiiibility for him to bcknc^wn by any one, went to the theatre, and with a heart di- vided betwixt hope and fear, placed himfelf in a part of the middle gallery, which h^d the full comi^iand of more than half the boxes ;- — he faw a very bril- liant circle, but not (he whom he (o much dreaded to find ftine among them. Having fcrutinouHy e.\:.mined all within the reach of his view, he quilted his prcfcnt pod:, and removed to the other fide of the hcufe, where he foon difcovered the perfons became in fearch of :--- he faw Mifs Forward earned in difcourfe with a gentleman that fat behind her^and Mifs Betfy receiv- ing fruit from another, with the fame frcedctn and jTuiety of deportment ilie could have dore, if pre- fentcd by, himfelf •,— he faw the nods,-- the wink?, ---and the grimaces, which fevcral in the pif made to eacii other, when lot^king towards thefe two la- dies, -t every mr-mc.p.t brought with it fomc frefh matter for his mortiScation, yet would net his cu- liofity flon here. Wjien the play was erded, he went hadJly down ftairs, and mingled with tht crowd tiiai ilood abQu.t th. duor, in hope cf fccin-^^ 274 ^>^^ H I S T O R Y cf Mifs Betfy quit her company, take a cHaIi', and go hoine ;— — but how cruel a (tab was it lo a man, who loved as he did, to find her go with hxCrdiflb- lute companion, and tv/o gentlemen, who, he had reafon to believe, by the little he faw cf their beha- viour, were utter ftrangers to her, into a hackney coach ; he was once about to appear himfelt' through his difguife, and tell Mifs Betfy, that he thought he had more right to the honour of con- ducting her, than thofe to v/hom fliegavepermifli- on ; but the greatnefs of his fJ3irit aiTifted his pru- dence, in reftraining him from fo rafh an aftion. After this fight, it is not in the power of words to reprefent what it was he iQ]t. Reafon was too weak to combat againft the force of fijch various emotions, as for a time had the entire pofleflion of his foul ;— -he thought Mifs Betfy unworthy of his iove, yet ilill he loved her, and had (lie been wit- nefs of his prefent diflraded ftate, (he would have feen the power fhc had over him, no lefs manifeft in the moments of his rage, than in ihofe in which he had behaved with the greateft tendernefs and rel]3ca. His good fenfe, hov/ever, at lafi: convinced him, that as no folid happinefs could be expedcd with a Vv'oman of Mils Betfy*s temper, he ought to con- quer his p:.flion for h€r.---This he refolved to at- tempt, yet thought before he did fo, it would be- come him £0 fee her once more,- --to argue gently with her, and try, at leal^-, if there v/ere not apot- iibility of making her fee the errors fhe was guilty of With this intent he went the next day lo vifit her, but being told {he could fee no company that day, v/as going from the door, wheu Mifs Flora, who had watched for him at the i.-ai]ourwindow, came and defired him to walk in ; --his complai- fiiice would not permit him to refufe her requeft, and M'tfs Betsy Thoughtless. 275 2nd after the ufual compliments, faid, he was forry Mifs Betfy was fo ill. " You need not be in '* much pain," replied ChQ^ with a look v/hich he thought had more than an ordinary meaning in it, ** {he is not greatly indifpofed." ■'* Perhaps," cried Mr. Trueworth, with fome warmth, " fhe *' is only fo to mc," — " I cannot fay any thing to ** that," returned Mifs Flora, " but her orders *' were In general to all that came ; and I believe, " indeed, Ihc is not perfectly well, flie came " home extremely late laft niglit, and fccrned in a ** good deal of diforder." ** Diforder, madam," interrupted Mr. Trueworth, impatiently, " for *' heaven's fake, on what occafioa ?'' '* I ** wiflil could inform you," anfwcied (lie ; " but at ** prcfent I am not favoured v.^ith her confidence, " though (here was a time, when I u-as made par- ** taker of her deareft fecrets : 1 wilh thofe fhc *' now intruits them with, Uiay be no \th faithful '* to her than I have been.'* *' I hope," faid he, *' fhe lias none which, to be betrayed in, would *' give her pain." With thefc words he rofe up to go away. Mifs Plora fain would have per- fv/aded him to drink tea ; but he excufcd himfclf, faying, he was engaged, that he came only to enquire after the health of her fair friend, and could not have liaycd, if fo happy as to have fecn her. Scarce could this paffionate lover contain himfelf, 'till he got out of the houfe : the manner in which Mifs Flora hi^ fpoke of Mifs Bctfy, added frcih fuel to the jealoufies he v/uS befoie poflc/lcd of ; but how great foever his difturbance was, he found on his return heme, fomewhat which made all he had known before fceni ligiit and trifling. CMAP. 2-6 rhe HISTORY of CHAP. XXXV. Contains fame pajjliges^ wh'ich^ Wis probable nvill afford more pa:n than pUafure^ yet are very per^ tinoit to the b'ljiory^ and necejjary to be related, "^HOUGH the words which Mifs Flora had let full to Mr. Trueworth, concerning MiTs Betfy, feemcd as if fpoken b*' meer chance, there was couched under them, a dedgnof the moft black and villainous kind, that ever entered the bread of woman, as will prcfently appear to the aftonifliiment of every reader. In order to do this, we mufl: relate an incident in Mifs Bctfy's life, not hitherto mentioned, and v/hich happened feme little time before her going to Oxford, with her brother Frank. On her firfl coming to town, a woman had been recommended to her for ftarching, and m.aking up her fine linen :■ this perfon Ihe had ever fmcc employed, and took a great fancy to, as file found her honefi:, induftrious, and very obliging. Tiu- poor creature was unhappily married, her hufband was '2;one from her, and had lifted himfclf forafoldiir; being born in a diiiant county, ihe had no relations to whom fhe could apply for affiftance, was big with child, and had no fup- port but the labour of her hands.^ Thefe cala- mitous circtimftances fo much touclied the com- mifVrative nature of Mifs Bctfy, that fhe frequently gave her double the fum flie demaiided for her work, bcfides beftov-ing on her many things file left oft* wearing, which, though trifles in themfelves, were very helpful to a perfon in fuch diftrefs. Mifs Mabel, for whom file alfo worked at the (iime time, was no lefs her patronefs, than Mifs }3etry. — ■ — In fire, they v/cre both extremely kind to hcr^ in fo much as made her often cry OMt, in a tranfpurt M'lfs Betsy Thoughtless. 277 tranfport of gratitude, that thefe two good young ladies were worth to her all the cuftomers (lie had bcfides : they continued to prove themfelves {oy indeed ; for when her cliiJd was born, which hap- pened to be a girl, they flood god-mothers, and not only gave handfomely themfeivcs, but raifed a contribution among their acquaiiuancc, for the Tup- port of the lying-in woman and her infant ; the former, however, did not long enjoy the blelling of two fuch worthy friends, fne died btforc the expiration of her month, and the latter beiiig whol- ly dellitute, was about to be thrown upon the pa- rifli ; fome well difpvjfed neighbour, who knew how kind Mifs Mabel and Mifs Betiy had Deen, came and acquainted them with the melancholy (lory ;— they confuhed togctlicr, and each rcHetSt- ing, that ihc h.d under lukcn the protection of this infant at the font, thought herfclf bound by duty to preferve it from thofe hardfliips wiJi which children thus expofcd, are fomciiines treated: they, therefore, as they were equally engaged, agreed to 'join equally in the maintenr.nce of this innocent forlorn. This wa!^ a rare charity Indeed, and ^cw there are, efp^cially at their years, whofb juftly confider the oDligations of a baptifmal covenant. — It was alfo the more to be admired, as neither of them had the incomes of their furtuties in their own hands, the one being under guardianfliip, and the otljer at the allowance of a father, who, though rich, was extremely avaritious. As ttiey were therefore obliged to he good ceco- nomillis in this point, and nurfes in the country are to be had at a much cheaper rate than in town, they got a perfon to feek out for one, who would not be unreafonable in her demands, and at the lame time do juftice to her charge. Such a one, ac- cording to the char^der given uf her by neighbours, being 27S The HISTORY of being found, the child decently cloathed, was fcnt down to her habitation, which was in a little vil- lage about feventcen nniles from London. For the fke of concealing the part Mifs Mabel had in this affair from the knowledge of her father, it was judged proper that Mifs Eetfy fliould feem to take the whole upon herfelf, which Ihe did, and the nurfe's hufband came up every month, and received the money from her hands, as alfo whatever other neceflaries the child wanted. WHo would imagine, that fuch a glorious a6t of benevolence (hould ever be made a handle to tra- duce and viliify the author ?---yet what cannot ma- lice, accompanied with cunning, do ?---It can give the faireft virtue the appearance of the fouleft vice, and pervert the juft eftimation of the world into a miflaken fcornand contempt. Mifs Flora, after receiving the difappointment, as related in theXXIXth chapterinthis volume, was far from defifting from the wicked defign (he had conceived of putting an end to the intercourfe be- tween Mifs Betfy and Mr. True worth ; — her fer- tile brain prefented her v/ith a thoufand flratagems, which foe rejected, either as they Vvere too weak to acGompliih w'lat {be Vvifhcd, or too liable to difco- very, till at laft (lie hit upon the moft deteftable proje(9- of reprefenting what proceeded from the nobleit propenfity of Mifs Bc-tfy's nature, as the eiFt'(Sl of a criminal compulfion ;— in fine, to make it appear fo feafihlt, as to be believed, that the child who ov/ed l^ali its maintainance to her charity was entirel} kept by herfelf, and the olispring of her own body. Having well weighed and deliberated on this mat- ter, it feemed to b.er fuch as Mr. Trueworth^ on tlie mofl ftridl examination, could not difcover the deception of; - ihc:. therefore ref;>lved to purfue it, and accordingly wrote the followij^g letter : To Mifs Betsv Thoughtless. 279 To Charles Trueworth, Efq; ' Sir, TH E fi lendfhip I had for fome of your fami- Jy, now deceafed, and the refpcdt due to your own chara(5lcr in particular, obliges me to acquaint you with truths more difagreeable than perhaps you ever yet have heard ;-'-but before I proceed to the (hocking narrative, let me conjure you to believe, that in me your better angel fpeaks, and warns you to avoid that dreadful gulph of evcrlafting mifery, into which you are jufl: ready to be plunged. ' I am inTormed, by thofe who are moft verfed in your affairs, and on whofc veracity I may de- pend, that a treaty of marriage is on fcot, and almoft as good as concluded, between you and Mifs Bctfy Thoug;ht]efs.---A young lady, I muft confefs, well defcended,— handfome, and endued with every acconipliihment to attrad the admi- ration of mankind, and if her foul had the leaft conformity with her exterior charms, }ou, doubt- Icfs, might have been one of the moft hnppy and mod envyed men on earth;--- but, fir, this fccming in.iocence is ail a cheat,- - another has been before- hand with you, in the joys you covet ;--~your in- tended bride has been a mother without the pleafure t'f owning hcrfelfas fuch.— Tiie product cf a fliame- ful paflion is (till living, and though (he ufes the greateft caution in this < n-'uir, I have by accident difcovered, is new nurfcd at Denh^m, a fmall village, v/ithin two mxilcs of Uxbridge, by a gar- dener's wife, who is called by the country people goody Du(hman. 1 give you this particular account, in order that you may make w!'at en- quiry you (hall think proper into a fad;, which I am for ry to fay, you will hnd but too real.* 1 pity from my foul the unfcituriate feduccd ycung ' lady. 28o Ihe H I S T O R Y of lady,— — flie muft be doubly miferable, if by having lofl her virtue, flie lofcs a hufband fiich as ycu j but if after tliis you fliould think fit to prufecute your pretenfions, I wifh fhe may endea- * vour, by her future condutSf, to atone for the ' errors of the paft ; butalas ! herprefcnt man- ' ner of behaviour, affords no fuch promifing ex- ' pe^^ations ; and if you fliculd fet your honour * and fortune, and all that is dear to yo ■, againft ' fo precarious a fiakc, as the hope of reclaiming'^ * u'oman of her temper, it muft certainly fill all ' your friends with aftonilhment and grief 3' but you are yourfelf the befi judge of what it v/ill ' become you to do, -I only beg, that you will * he afllired this intelligence comes from one, vslio ' is, « With the utmoft finccrity, « Sir, * Your well-wifner, ' And moft humble, * Thoueh ui, known, fervant." She would not trufl: the fuccefs of the mifchicf {he intended by this letter, 'till (lie had examined and re-examined every fentence, and finding it al- together fucb'as.flie thought would work the defir- ed efftcf, got one, who was always her ready agent, in matters of this kind, to copy it over, in order to prevent any accident from dilcovering tiie real author, and then fent it as directed by the pen- ny-pof}-. Hovv' far the event anrwrrcd her expeclations fliiill very {liortly hz related, but incidents of another nature, requiring to he firft mentioned, the gr,atifi- catlon of that curiofity, which this may have ex- ciied, muft for a while be deferred. M'lfs Betsy Thoughtless. z8i c H A P. xxxvr. Is the recital cf fome accidentia as little fcjfihle to be forefgen by the reader^ as they were by the perfons to whom they happened. IN youth, when the blood runs high, and the fpi- lits are in full vivacity, afflifticn muft come very heavy indeed, when it makes any deep or laliing iniprciiion on the mind.- That vexation v/hich Mifs Bctfy had brought upon herfelf, by go- ing to the play with Mils Forward, was fevere enough the wljolc night, and the enfuing day. A great wliilc, it muft be confefTcd, for a perfoii of her volatile difpofition, and when th.e more vio- lent emotions had fubfided, the terror flie had lately fuilained, had, at leaft, this good efFe6l upon her, it made her refolve to take cill pciTible prccai.ticns not to full into the like danger again. As {lie had an infinite deal of generofity in her nature, when not cbfcurcd by that pride and vanity which the batteries file had been but too much accunomed to, had infpircd her with, flie could not reflccfl how ill fhe had treated Mr. Trueworth, and the little regard (he had paid to the tender concern he had fhewn for her reputation, without thinking Die ought to afk liis pardon, and acknowlccigc flie had been m the wrong. If Mr. Trueworth could have known the humour flie was at prcfent in, how readily would he have flown to her with all the wings of love and kind forgivencfs j but as he had not the fpirit of divination, and could only judge of her fentiments by her behaviour, it was not in his power to conceive how great a change had happen- ed in hi. favour, through a juft fenfibility of her own error. She in the mean time, little imagined how far he refented the treatment (he bad given him, efpcci- ally 282 neH I S T O R Y of ally as fhe heard he had been to wait upon her the day in which flie faw no company, and after hav- ing paft a night of much more tranquillity than the former had been, went down in the morning to breakfafl, with her ufual chearfulnefs ; fhe had not been many minutes in the parlour, before fhe was agreeably furprizcd Vvith the fight of her elder brother, Mr. Thomas Thoughtlcfs, who, itfeems, had arrived the night before. After the firfl: wel- comes were over, Mr. Guodman afked him, Where- fore he did not come dircdily to his houfe ? faying, he had always a fpare bed to accommodate a friend ; —-To which the other replied, that he had come from Paris with fome company, whom he could not quit, and that they had lain at the Hummums. ---Mils Betfy was extremely ^ranfported at his re- turn, and faid a thoufand obliging things to him, all which lie anAvcred with more pulitenefs than tenderncfs, and this young l^dy foon perceived by this rpccimen of his carria^;^ to her, that (he was not to expedl the fame aflecticn from him, as fhe had received (o many proofs of from her younger brother. His long abfence from England, and fome at- tachments he had found abroad, had, indeed, very much taken ofF that v/armth of kindnefs he would, doubtlefs, otherwife have felt for an only fifter, and one who appeared (o worthy of his love.-— As Mr. Goodman had acquainted him by letter, that he had hired a houfe for him, according to his rcqueft, the chief of their converfation turned on that fub- je(^, and as foon as breakfaft was over, they took a walk together to fee it :— on their return he feemed very much pleafed with the choice Mr. Goodman had made, and the little time he flayed was entirely taken up with confulting lady Mi^ila- fm, his fifter, and Mifs Flora, concerning the manner m which he ihould ornament it j for the honeft ili//i Betsy Thoughtless. 283 honeft guardian had taken care to provide all fuch furniture, as he thought would bo ncctflary for a fingle gentleman. No intreaties were wanting to prevail on him, to make that houfe his home, till his own was tho- roughly aired, ana in all refpedis fit for him to go into; but he cxcufed himfelf, faying, he could not leave the friends he had travelled with, till they were provided for as well as himfelf, nor could all Mr. Goodman, and the ladies urge, perfuade him to dine with them that day. It muft be acknowledged, thr.t this pofiti'-c refa- fal of every thing that was defired of him, had not in it all that complaifancc, which might have been expected from a perfon juft come from among a people more famous for their politenefs, than their fmccrity. But he had his own reafons, which the f<^mily of Mr. Goodman as yet were far from fufpcding, which made him a6t in the manner he now did, and it was not, in reality, the want of French breed- ing, but the want of true old Engiilh refolution, that enforced this feeming negligence and abrupt- ncfs. After he was gone, Mr. Goodman went to 'Change, but was fcarce entered into the walk, where he had appointed to meet fome merchants, when he was accoftcd by two rough ill-looked fel- lows, who demanded his fword, and told him, they had a writ againft him, that he was their prifoner, and muft go with them. Mr. Goodman, who had as little reafon as any man living to fufpedl an infult of this nature, only fmiled, and told them, they were miflaken in the perfon. " No, no," faid one of them, " we " are right enough, if you are Mr. Samuel Good- ■*' man." ** My name is Samuel Goodman,'* replied he^ '* but 1 do not know that it ftands in *' any 284 ne H I S TO R Y of " any man's books for debt ;— but pray," con- tinued he, 'Sat vvhofo fuit am I arrelted ?'' " At the fuit of Mr. Oliver Marplus," faid the other officer. '•' I have no dealings with any *' fuch perfon," cried Mr. Goodman, " nor even " ever heard the name of him you mention.'* They then told him, it was his bufincfs to prove that, they did but do tlieir duty, and he muft obey the writ.— -Mr. Goodman on this, know- ing they were not the pcrfons with whom this mat- ter fhould be conteded, readily went where they .conda, when he had got him into his houfe ; and, on his defifingto be informed of the lawyer's name, employed in the a6iion, he immediately told him, and alfo for what fum he was arre/led, which was no lefs than two thoufand, five hundred., and feven- ty-fie pounds, eight fliillings. -'' A pretty par- " eel of money truly," faid Mr. Goodman, " I *' wonder in what dream I contracted this debt " — He then called for pen, ink, and paper, and wrote a line to his lawyer in the Temple, defiring him to go to the other, who, they faid, was concerned againfl: him, and find out the truth of this affair. The honeft old gentleman having fent this letter by his fervant, called for fomething to eat, and was extremely facetious and pleafant with the officers, not doubting but that what had happened was occa- fioned through fome miftake or other, and he fhould Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 285 fhould immediately be difcharged, when the thing was enquired into; but his prefent good hu- mour was changed into one altogether the reverfe, when his own lawyer, accompanied by him who was engaged for his adverfary, came to him, and told him, there was no remedy but to give bail ; — that the fuit commenced againft him, was on ac- count of a bond given by lady Mcllafin to Mr. Oli- ver Marplus, fome few days previous to her mar- riage.— 'Tis hard to fay, whether furprife or rage was mod predominant in the foul of this much-in- jured hufband, at (o (hocking apiece of intelligence. He demanded to fee the bond, which requeft being granted, he found it, not as he at flrft flat- tered himfcif, a forgery, but figned with his wife's own hand, and witricfled by Mrs. Prinks her w^o- man, and another perfon whom he knew not. It is certain, that no confufion ever exceeded that of Mr. Goodman'^s, at this time y he fat like one transfixed with thunder, and was wholly inca- pable of uttering one fyllable ; he appeared to the company as loft in thought ; but was indeed almoft paft the power of thinking, till his lawyer roufed him with thefe words, — ' — '* Come, Sir," faid he, " you fee how the cafe ftands, there " is no time to be loft, — you muft either pay the *' mqney down, or get immediate fecurity ; for I " fuppoie you 'vvould not chufe to lie here to- *' night." — This feafonable admonition brought him a little to himfelf : — he now began to reflect what it would beft become him to do, and after a paufe of fome moments, " I believe,'', faid he, " that I have now in my houfe more than the fum *' in bills, that would difcharge this bond, but I " vvould willingly hear what this woman has to *' fay before I pay the money, and will therefore " give in bail." — i\ccordingly he fent for two ci- tizens of great worth and credit, to dcfire them to ccme 2U The HIST OR Y cf come to him ; — they inftantly complied with this fummons, and the whole affair being repeated to them, voluntarily offered to be his fureties. Bail bonds were eaiily procured, but it took up (o much time in filling them up, and difcharging the fees, and other ccnfcquential expences, that it was pad: one o'clock before all was over, and Mr. Goodman had liberty to return to his own habitation. It was very feldom that Mr. Goodman ftaycd late abroad ; but whenever any thing happened that obliged him to do fo, lady Meilafm, through the great affection ihe pretended to have for him, would never go to bed till his return. -—Mrs. Prinks for the moft part was her fole companion in fuch cafes ; but it fo fell out, that this night neither of the two young ladies had any inclination to fleep : ---Mifs Flora's head was full of the abovementioned plot, and the anxiety for its fuccefs ;--the remem- brance of the late adventure at Mifs Forv/ard's, was not yet quite diffipated in Mifs Betfy ;---the colunefs with which flie imagined herfclf treated by her elder brother, with whcmfhe had flattered her- felf of living, and being very happy under his pro- tedlion, gave her a good deal of uneafinefb.— To add to all thefe matters of difquiet, fhe had alfo received that afternoon a letter from Mr. Francis Thoughtlefs, acquainting her, that he had had the misfortune to be fo much bruifcd by a fall he got from his horfe, that it was utterly impoffible for him to travel, and flie muff not exp^^d him in town yet for feme days. The ladies were all together, fitting in the parlour, each chufing rather to indulge her own private me- ditations, than to hold difcourfe witli the others, when ^/Ir. Goodman came home.— —Lady Mcl- lafm ran to embrace him with a fliew of the great- eft tendcrnefs,"-^' My dear Mr. Goodman," cried fhe, Mifs Betsv Thoughtless. 287 flic, " how much have 1 TufFered from my fears, •■ leaft fomeil! accident fhould have befallen you !" « .—The worft that could have happened has be- *' fallen me," replied he, thrufting her from him ; *' yet no more than what you ni'ght very reafon- *' ably expert would one day or other happen. "--- ** What do you njcan, my dear," faid fhe, more alarmed at his woidsand locks than fhe made fliew of ?— -" You may too eaftly inform yourfelf what " 'tis I mean," cried he haftily, *' on the retro- *' fpccft of your behaviour.— »— I now find, but too " late, how much I have been impofcd upon. ■ ■ *' Did you not aflure me,'' continued he, fome- what more mildly, '* that you were free from all '* incunioranccs but that girl, whom, fince our " marriage, I have tendered as my own ?" And then pcrceivirig flie anfwered nothing, but looked pale and trembled, he repeated to her the afFr( nt he had received, " which,*' faid he, " in " all my dealings in the world, would never have ^' happened, but on your account." Tho .gh lady Mellafm had as much artifice, and the power of dilFimulation, as any of her fex, yet {lie was at a lofs-thus taken unprepared. (be he- fitateJ, (lie ftammered, and fain would hav-e denied the having given any fuch bond ; but finding the proofs too plain againlt her, (he threw herfelf at his feet, wept, and conjured him to forgive the only deception die had pracStifed on him : — *' It was a debt," faid (lie, " contraded by my *'• former hulband, which 1 knev*' not of. i "" ihouiht the efFeds he left behind him were more *< than fufHcient to have dilchargcd whatever ob- *' ligations he lay under, and fooliflily took cut '' letters of adminiilrrtion. — Tiie demand of Mar- " plus came not upon me till fome time after, — I ''•■ tlien inconfiderately gave him my own bond, " which 2S8 ne H I S TO R Y (?/ • '' which he however promlfed not to piit in force *' without previoufly acquainting me.'*- This excufe was too weak, as well as all the af- fection Mr. Goodman had for her, to pacify the emotions of his juft indignation, — " And pray," cried he, in a voice divided between fcorn and an- ger, *' of what advantage would it have been to *' me your being previoufly acquainted with it ?— " Could you have paid the money without rob- " bing, or defrauding me ? — No, madam,'' con- tinued he, " I fhall for the future give credit to *' nothing you can fay, and as I cannot be ailiired *' that this is the only misfortune I have to dread *' on your account, fliall confider what ftepa I '' ought to take for my defence." In fpeaking thefe words he rung the bell for a fervant, and ordered that bed, to which he had in- vited Mr. Thoughtlefs, fhould that inibnt be made ready for himfeif.-— All the tears and intreaties of lady Mellafin were in vain, to make him recede from his refolution of lying alone that night ; and as foon as he was told his orders were obeyed, he flung out of the room, fiying,-— " Madam, per- *' haps, we never more may meet between a pair *' of fheets."-.- Whether at that time he was de- termined to carry his refentment fo far, or not, is uncertain, but wha»' happened very fhortly after, left him no other part to take, than that which he had threatened. C H A P. XXXVII. Clves a full explanation of fome faffages^ ivhich hitherto have feemecl very dark and myfterious, THIS was a night of great confufion in Mr.' Goodman's Ifamily :--.]ady Mellafm either was, or pretended to be, in fits;---Mir3 Flora was called Mifs Bet^y Thoughtless. 2^9 called up foon after fhe went to bed, but Mr. Goodman himfelf would not be prevailed upon to rife, though tolJ the condition his wife was in, and that (lie begged with the utmoft earnclbefs to fej him. This behaviour in a husband lately fo tender and afrecH:>nate, is a proof, not only that the greatcft love once turned degenerates into its reverie, but alfo that the fweeteft tempci-, when too much pro^ voked by injuries, is not always the moll eafy to be reconciled.- --The perfect truft he had put in lady i\Iel]aiin,---the implicit faith he had given to all (he laid, -.-and the dependance he had on the love fhe had proftHcd for him, made the decep- tion (he was now convifled of appear in worfe co- lours, than otherwife it would liave done. The more he reflefled on this ugly affair, the more he was convinced of the hypocrify of his wife, in w; om he had placed fuch confidence ** We have been married near five years," fiid he, tohimf:if; '^ hnv comes it to pafs, that the pe- ** nalty of this bond was not in fo long a time dc- ** manded f---It mull be that Ihe has kepi it cfFby '* large intcreft, and torbearance-money, and who *' knows how f:ir my credit may be endaru^rered '* for the raifing of it ? 'Tis likely, that while I *' thought every thing necelTary for my family *^ was pu'chafcd with ready m-ney, I may fiand " indebted to all the tradefmen this v/icked woman ' has had any dealings with ; nay, I cannot e- ** ven all'ure my felf, that other obligations of the *' fame kind with this I have already fuffered for, " may not, fume time or other call upon me for " their difcharge." With thtfc diffcurbed meditations, inftead of fleep, did lie pafs what was remaiiiingof tiie night; when he went to bed j vet he arofe the next day full as. Vol. I. ' O eiirlr 200 rhe H rs TO R Y of early as he was accuftomed to do, after having en- joyed the beft rcpofe. The firft thing he did was to fend for as many of thofe trades -people, as he either knew himfelf, or Lis fervants could inform him, had at any time fent goods into his houfe. On their prefenting them- firlves before him, he found, more to his vexation than furprife, for he now expcdlcd the worft, that all of them, even to thofe who fupplied his kitchen, had bills of a long flanding : he difcharged all their feveral demands direcily, and having taken a receipt in full from each of them, defired they would henceforward fuffer no goods to be left with- in his doors without the value being paid on the de- livery. Mr. Goodm.an had juft difpatched the laft of thefe people, when he was told a woman begged leave to fpcak to him : *' Another creditor, I •• fuppofe," fa'd he, and then ordered (he (hould come in. As foon as {he did fo, *' Well, ** miftrcfs," cried he, feeing her a woman of a very plain appearance,- *' what is it you require of ** nie r" — — *' Nothing, Sir," replied (he, " but *' that -you will permit me to acquaint you with ii ** thi^^g, which it very much concerns you to be «* informed of?" *' I fhould otherwifc be an' *' enemy to myfelf," refumed he, " therefore *' pray fpeak what you have to fay •'* * I «im, Sir,' faid (lie, ' the unfortunate wife * of one of the moft wicked men upon earth, and * by my being fo have been compelled to be in ^ fomc meafure acceflary to the injultice you have * fuftalncd i but I hope what I have to reveal will * atone for my tranfgrcffion.' Mr. Good- * man then defiring flie would fit down, and with- out any farther prelude proceed to the bufmefs fhe came upon. * The fum nf what I have to relate,' rejoined (he, A///} Betsy Thoughtless. 291 fhe, * is, that the bond, on which you were yefter- ' (Jay arreted, and for the payment of which you * have given fccurity, is no more than an impudent * fraud ; but the particulars, that prove it fuch, * cannot but be very difplcafuig to you ; however * I (hall make no apology for relating them, as * the pcrfcd knowledge of the whole tranfacliori ' may put you in a way to prevent all future inju- ' ries of the like nature. ' My hufband, whofe name is Oliver Marplus,* cont nued flie, ' had the honour of waiting on a * nobleman belonging to court, when Sir Simon * Mellafm had a poii: there : his lady, now un-. * happiiy yours, took a fancy to him, and enter- ' ed into a criminal converfation with him, fome ' time before her husband's death, and has ever ' fmce, unlcfs very lately broke off, continued it. * On my flrf!: difcovering it, he begged me to be ' eafy, and reminded me, that as he had nothing * at prefent to depend upon, having loft his place, ' but her ladi {hip's bounty, I ought to wink at it, * and be content that fnc (hould fhare his perfon, * fmce I fhare in the benefits arifmg from their * intercourfe. I knov/ing his temper too well, ' not to know that any oppofition 1 could make * would be in vain, and feeing no other remedy, * was obliged to feign a confent to what the love I * then had for him rendered moft terrible to me--- * Thus we went on, her ladyfliip dill fupplying, * him with money for our fuppori, till he being in- * formed, that her marriage v.ith you was near be- * ing confummated, he bethought himfelf of a flra- * tagem to prevent the change of her condition from * depriving him of the continuance of her favour, ' — It was this : ' Tiieir private meetings were always in the Sa- \ voy, at a houfc of my hufband's chufing for that * purpufe, the mafter of it being his intimate friend O 2 ' an(i Q.Q1 The H I S T OR Y of ' and compairion. ---Myfclf, and two men, whom ' he made pi ivy to the plot, and were to perfonate * officers of juilice, were to he concealed in the *■ next room to the lovers, and as foon as we ' found they were in bed, burft open the door, * rufh in, and catch them in the very a6t of * fhamc. ' All this was executed according as it was cori' * triveid i my hufband jumped out of bed, pre- *. tended to ftruggle with the (liam conftables, and * fvvore he v/ould murder me.--- 1 acfed my part, as ' they fince told me, to the life, Teemed a very * fury, and faid 1 did not care what became of me, * if I was but revenged upon my rival. — Lady * Mcllafin tore her hair, wept, and intreated me * in the moft abjed terms to forgive, and nat * expofe a woman of her rank to public fcorn * and infamy.- --To wliich I replied, that it was *■ not her quality fliould prote«5t her : — I loaded her ' with the moft inveterate reproaches I could think * of. - indeed, there required not much ftudy for * niv doing fo, for I heartily hated her.— -After « fome time pafied in befeechings on her fide, and ' railings on mine, one of the pretended conftables ' took me afide, as if to pcrfuade me to more mo- ' deration, while the other talked to her, and in- * finuated as if a fum of money might con^promifc * the matter.--- My hufband alfo told her, that ' though he detefted me for what I had done, yet * he wifhed her ladylliip, for her own fake, would * think of fome way to pacify me ;-— for, faid he, * a wife in thefe cafes has great power.' * The terror fhe was in of appearing before a ci- * vil magidrate, and of being liable to fufTcr that * punifliment the law inflicts upon an adukrefs, *• and confequently the lofs of all her hopes of a *• marriage with you. Sir, made her readily agree '• to do any thing I fliould require.-- 1 feen)ed quite * averfe M//} Betsy Thoughtless. 293 * averfe for a good while to liftcn to any terms of accommodation, but at length afFc6ted to be o- vercome by the perfuafions of the men I brought with me, and her promifc of allowing us a very handfome fupport, as foon as (he became your wife, and fhould have it in her power.- --This ' I made flight on, and told her, that I would not depend upon hir promife for any thing.-— It was * then propofed, that fhc fhould give a bond for a large fum of money to Mr. Marplus.---' That you may do with Lfety,* faid he to her, ' as I fliall jjave it in my own hands, and you may be afTurcd will never put it in force to your preju- dice.' ' In fine, Sir, continued Mrs. Marplus, fae a- greed to tiiis prrpofal, and as it Vv'as then too late for the extcution of what file had promiftd, on her making a folcmn vow to fulfil it pnr6iua]]y * the next day, I told her, fhc was at liberty to go home that night, but that I would nut withdiitu' the warrant I pretended to have taken gut a^iiiiH\ * her, till ail was over. *■ She was, indeed, too moch rejoiced at the ex- pe(£lation of getting ofr from the imaginary pro- fecution to think of breaking her word ; — my wicked hulbacid, however, had the fuccefs of iiis defign more greatly at heart, than to give her any long time for reflection, : accordingly we went pretty early the next morning to her lodgings, ac- companied by one of thofe, who had aifumcd the character of conftable, and v/ho, in reality, had formerly ferved the parifli where he ftill lives In that capacity, and a lawyer, previoully direft- ed to fill up the bond in the ftrongcft and moft binding terms that words could form.. Thero was not the leaft demur or objection, on the part of iier ladyfliip ;— fhe Cgned her name, and Mrs. O 3 Prinks, 294 "^'he H I S T O R Y f/ Prinks, her woman, and the man we brought with us, fet their h.nds as witnefies. ' You fee, Sir,' purfued fne, ' tiie drift of this contrivance, lady Mellafin was the inflrument, but it was you that was brdaintd to fuficr : — ^ — there was no fixed fum, or fums, llifulated fcr the fupport we were to received from her ; but Marplus was fo continually dr ining her purfe, that I have often been amazed by v^hat arts fbe impofed on you to replenifli it. Whenever fhe began to make any excufe for not complying with his ciemands, he prefently threatened her with putting the bond in force againfi: you> by v.'hich means he extorted from her almoll: v*'hut- ever he required.' ' One time in particular, he pretended to be un- der an.arreft for three hundred pounds, and flie not having fo much money by her, was obliged to fend Mrs. Prinks, with her diamond necklace, to the pawn broker's to make it up ; yet, — would you believe it, Sir ? — notwithfiandrng all he g.'.t fr.-.ni her kdyfliip, he kept me poor and mean, as you fee; — would not let me have a fcrvant, but made me wafh his linnen, and do all the drudgery, while he ftruted about the town, like a fine fellow, with his tupee wig, and laced waificoat, and if I made the leaft complaint, would tell me in derifion, that as I had no chil- dren I had nothing elfe to do but to v/ait upon him.— I bore all this, however, bccaufe I loved the villain, and, indeed, did not then knovy he was fo great a one to me, as I now find he is. ' He pretended to me, that he was heartily weary of lady. Mellafin,— hated her, — and could no longer bear the pain of difiembling with her, -' f will, therefore,' faid he, ' demarid a much larger fum of her, than 1 knov/ it is in h€r power to raife i— her noncompliance will «' giyc M//} Betsy Thoughtless. 295 *' give me an excufe for compelling her hufband to *' pay the penalty of the bond, and when I have ' got the money I will purchafe an employment *' in fome one or other of the public offices, on *' which you and I may live comfortably together *' the remainder of our days.' ' According]}-, at his next meeting with lady ' Mtllalin, he told her, he had a prefent occafioii ' for a fum of money, and {he muil: Lt him have ' five hundred pounds, within four or five days ' at fartheft.- --This, it feems, extremely alarmed ' her ; (he replied, that it was impcfnbie for i^er * to procure fo much at once, — comi laincd that * he had been too prcfnn[r upon her, and tcjlii him, ' that hcougiit not to expert (he con^d always fup- * ply his extravagancies in the manner (he had Lte- .' ly done. — High words arofe between th'i'Ti on ,* this accoui't ; --{lie reproaclied him with the *,flraits he had already rut her to, — faid he mufl ' wait till money came into her hands. — He fwc-rc ' the prefent exigence of his atfairs required an im- ' mediate fupply, — that he faw no remedy but at- * refiing you, and they parted in great ar.ger. ' The next day he fcnt me to her with a letter ; ' — neither fhe, nor Mrs. Prinks, was at home, * ajid I di^l not judge proper to leave it with ti.e ' fervants, fo carried it back again .• -—he did rot ' happen to alk me for it, and I never thou?/-.! of * returning it, wMch I am now very glad of, as it * may ferve to coiroborate the truth of what I ' told you.' In fpeaking this, fhe prefented a paper to Mr, Goodman, v/lnch he took hafiily out of her hand?, and found it contained thefe words : To lady Mellasin. ' Madarn^ ' 'V7' OUR excufes won't do with me,. .-Money ' A I mufi: have J--I know you may raife it if O 4 ' yc'j igG The Ul ST OR Y of you will, and I am amazed you fhould imagine I can believe any thing you iay to the contrary, when you have an old fellow, who, you your- felf told me, knows no end to his wealth, and that you married him only to make him my bank- er.---Do not, therefore, offer to trifle with me any longer, for if you do, by my foul I fiiall put the bond in force, and then there will be an end of all love and all friendfliip between you and him, who has been for fo many years, ' Your conftant fervant, ' O. Marplus.' " Oh ! wretched,— -wretched woman !" cried Mr. Goodman, as foon as he had done reading, -►-" to how low, —how contemptible a frate has ** vic.e reduced her!"-— Mrs. Marplus, perceiving by his countenance the diftiadtion of his mind, would not profecute her difcourfe, till he, re- covering himfelf a little, bid her go on, if any thing yet remained to be related of this ilhocking narrative. ' I have told you. Sir,' refumed ihe, the pre- * parations, the ccr.fcquence you are but too well acquainttd with.— I have only to aflure you, that 1 had not difcovered my hulband's bafcnefs, but with a view of your doing yourfelf juliice ;— - you have no occation to pay this bond,-— you can prove it a fraud by the joint evidence of myfelf his wile, and another pcrfon, no kfs deeply con- * cerncd in the contrivance, and is ready to make < his affidavit of every particular I have recited ;- — ' but then whatfocver is done, mufl be done with « expedition, or he will be paft the reach, either of « vou or me.--.-I have juft now learned, that inftead < of purchafing an employment, as lie pretended < to me, he is privately prq)aring to go over to HoJlaijd, Bxuflels, or ibmc of thofe places, and fettle Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 297 ' fetde there with a young hufley, who, they fay, * is with child by him, and will leave me here to * ftarve. His lawyer, to whom he has afligned * the :bond, is to advance fifteen hundred peunds * upon if, on condiiicn he has the refidue of it to ' himlllf, when you (hall difcharge the whole. ' Now it is in your power. Sir, to fave yourfell- * the payment of fo much money, and relieve a ' much injured and dirtreffcd wife, by complaining ' to the court of Chancery of the impofition prac- ' ticed on you, and procure a Ne exeat regnum io * prevent his efcape.' Here (he gave over fpcaking, and Mr. Goodman after a fliort paiife, replied, that he could not £t that inftant refol.ve on any thing j but added, that he would take fomc advice, and then let her know how (-.IT (he might be ferviceablc to him : --on which flie took her leave, after giving him direiSlions wJ^cre (lie mi'jht be found. CHAP. XXXVIII. Shews fome part cf the confequenct^^ produced hy the foregoing occurrence, THOUGH Mr. Goodman very eafiiy perceiv- ed the wife of Marplus had not made the difcovery fhe had done through any principle of confcience, or true contrition for having been an accomplice in the bafe atfion (he had revealed, but mecrly in revenge to a hufband, who had ufcd her ill, and v/as about to leave her, yet he thought it behoved him to draw all the advantages he could, from the knowledge of fo aftonifhing, and \'o alarm- ing a fecret. He therefore wafled no time, either in unavail- ing reflections on his own inconfiderarenefi in mar- rying at his years, a woman, fuch as W\y Mellafin, U 5 nor 29S ne HISTORY of nor in exclamations on her ingratitude and perfidf- oufnefs, but convinced bc)ond a doubt of the wrongs he had fuftained, bent his whole mind on doing himfelf juflice, in as ample a m^anner as pof- fible, on the aggreflbrs. The lawyer, to whom he had applied the day before, was not only a pcrfon who had tranfa(5icd all the bufinefs he had in his way, but was alfo hrs acquaintance of a long Handing, and very good friend, and it was no inconfidcrable coniolation, under fo grievous a misfortune, that he was not at a 'ofs whom he fliOuld confult on an aft'.iir that lequired the greateft integrity, as well as abi- lity. The gentleman, luckily for Mr. Goodman's im- patience, came to enquire how he did, after his lafl night's Ihock, juft as he was preparing to wait on him, in order to acquaint him with the more (tab- bing cne he had fmce received : this injuied hus- band rejoiced, as much as the prefent unhappy fi- tuation of his mind would permit, at the fight of his fiiend, and related to him, in as brief a manner as- he could, the fum of the whole flory he had receiv- ed from Mrs. Mai plus. * ' Good God I" faid the lawyer, as foon as Mr. Gocdman had given over freaking, ^' I am con- *' founded ^ but pray. Sir, how have you re- *' folvtd to do ? — In what way will you proceed ?" *' — -1 hat i muft - fk of you," replied Mr. Good- rr-an,, haftily ; '* you may be certain I will not be *' pafnve in this matter. —I only want to know *' what courfe I am to fleer." — '' Could you coii- *' fent," cried the lawyer, after a paufe, " to be *« divorced from lady McUafm ?'^ " Confem!" faid Mr. Goodman, wiih more warmth than before, *' the mcft teirible vexation I endure, dwells ia *' tlie confideration, thit fhe is flill my wife ; • " were o:ice that name erafed, 1 think I fliould be eafyJ' Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. ?x9 ^' eafy." — *' I hope then foon to fee you (o^'' faij the other ; " but the firft thing we have to do is to *« get the sfHclavirs of the two witnefles, and then * arrcft Marplus.— -Ifliall order it fo with his law- " yer, whom 1 have under my thumb, on account " of fome mrl-praiftices I hav^ detedted him in, *' that he fhall not dare to procure bail for this *' uir-vorthy client.- --In fine, Sir,*' continued he, " I do not doubt, the cafe being (o plain, hut to *' relieve you from paying the penalty of the Init-d ; *' hut, in the mean time, what will you do wiili <' lady Meliafin ?— It is necefiary file fnould be " removed out of the houfe."-;-'' The houfe is •' he!l to me while flie is in it," faid Mr, Good- man. — They had feme furthar talk on this afRiir, and the manner in which Mr. Goc^dman was to conduct himfejf being fettled, a footman was fent; to bid Mrs. Friuks come down. That confidante of all her lady's guilty fccrcts could not, now dettdled, b'^hold the face (^f Mr, Goodman, v.ithout the extrcmcft terror and ccnfu- fion :-- he perceived it, as Pne ftood trembling fcarce half within the door, not daring to approach, " Come near" faid he, " you are a fervant, a4id " below the effe'^s of my refcntment, which o- " thervv'ife you mig'.t have caufe to dread. --I have " a meliagc to fend by you to your lady, ---take *' care you deliver it in the- words I give it."- - On which ilie ventured to advance a few fteps far- ther into the room, and he went on, with a more authoritative voice than Tne had ever heard him af- fume before, in this manner r ' Tell her," faid he, ** that for many rcaFons I *' find it wholly improper fhe ihould remain an/ " longer under the Ua^Q roof with me,---defire ^' her therefore to provide a 1< dglng immediately, *' for lierfelf, and all beloneif'g to her ;- -you *"* mufl-all d-put this very r^\^My fo i-t behoves he-.r 300 Thf HIST O R Y of *' tobefpeedy in her prfparotions."---" To- night, *^ Sii !" cries Mrs. Prinks r—*^ I Irave laid it, " " rejoined he, fincerely,---" begone ! it is not '* your bufinefs to reply, but to obey."-— She fpoke no more, but retired with much greater hafte than file had entered. Mr. Goodman, and his lawyer, were purfuing their difcourfe, on the prefent melancholy occafioii, when the butler came in to lay the cloth for din* ner : as foon as he had finiflied, and fet all the ne- ceflary ut^nfils on the table, Mr. Goodman ordered him to go to Mifs Betfy's chamber, and defire her to come down to dinner. That young lady had pafled the morning in a very difagreeable manner :— -the want ot-'repofe the night l>erore had made her lie in bed till the day was very far advanced :-— when (he got up, good-manners, good-breeding, and even common civility, obliged her to enquire after lady Mellafm's health ; and be- ing told, that die was ftill in bed, the fame motives induced her to pay her compliments in perfon, — i )n entering the chamber, a mournful fcene prefcnt- ed itfclf to her eyes: »- lady Mcllafin fat up, fup- po'teJ by her pillows, with all the tokens of defpair and grief, in every feature of her face;— Mifs Flora had thrown herielf on a carpet by the bed-fidc, her head lemming on tb.e ruelie, and her eyes half drowned in tears ; — Mrs. Prinks (food at a little difbnce from them, pale and motionlefs as a flatuc. The approach of Mifs Betfy made fome al- teration in their puftures, and feemed to awake them from that lethargy of filent woe ; lady Mellafm began to exclaim on the hardnefs of her fate, and the cruelty of Mr. Goodman, who, (he faid, fcemcd glad of a pretence to throw off that afFedlon, v/hichfhchad fiattered heifelf would have been as Jailing as life, and bewailed herfelf in terms fo tender and pathetic, that in fpite of the little refpeiSl, ]\Iif.5 Betsv Thoughtless. 301 refpe^, that Mifs Betfy in reality had for her, and the Juft indignation fhe had for fome time conceived againfl Mifs Flora, her gentle, generous heart was touched with the ftrongeft emotions of pity and for- ^ivenefft. As f!ie was far from fufpeding all the grounds Jad)- Mcilafin had for this immoderat-e forrow, and in her foul believiiig that Mr. (locdman would ftible is the revtrfe ! Servants naturally love and refpedl virtue in thofe they live with, and feidom or never cither flatter or conceal the vices they do not greatly profit by. The airs lady Mcllafm gave herfelf, on this occafion^ were fo far from making thein bciieve her innocent, or their mafter blanieable, that as foon as they had got out of her fight, thay onlv turned her pride, and the fall it was going to fullain, into redicule and grim'^ce. Mifs Betfv, however, could not fee them depart in this manner, without feeling a very deep con- cern : their misfortunes obliterated all the re- •fentment fhc had at any time conceived againft them, and {he had never before been more angry, even with Mifs Flora, for the treachery (he had been guilty of to her, than flie was now grieved at the fight of her humiliation. She was fitting alone, and full of very ferious Tefledions on this fodden change m the family, when her brother Thoughtlefs came in : fhc glad o ih 3o6 "The HISTORY of the opportunity of founding his inclinations, as to her living with liini, and now rcfolvecl to do it cf- fcvSiually : — fhe began with telling him, the whole flory of lady Mellaun's and Mils Flora's removal, and then complained how ilully flic (hould pals her time, widi only Mr. Goodman, and an old gen- tlewoman, who was to come to be his houfe- keep- er. - " I thought, you were about marrying," faid he, *' and expedled from what Mr. Goodman '' wrote to me, that my firfl: compliment to you, " on my arrival, Vv^ould have been to, have wiihed " ycu joy. -You are not broke ofF with the *' gentleman,— are you ?" The carelefs air with which he fpoke thefe word?, flung Mifs Bctfy to the quick j fl:ie took no nfjticc, however, hov/ much Hie was piqued at them, but replied, that the whole affair was mere f . ggeftion ; that it was true, indeed, {he had for fome time re- ceived the addrefles of a gentleman, recommenc'ed by her brother Frai^.k ;- — that he, and fome otlier of her friends, \vc\t very much for the match, and (he fuppofcd had fpoke of it as a thing concluded on, bec;iufe.thcy wiilied it to be (o -, but for her ovv^n part, (lie never had as yet entertained one fe- rious thougiu about the matter, and at prefent was far from having any difpofition to become a wife ; " — fo that," continued flie, " if I am doomed .*' to flay in Mr, Goodman's houfe, 'till 1 am re- *' licvcd that way, it is veiy probable I may be " moped to death, and married to my grave." " Where is the neceffity f(;r that ?" faid he.: *' Are there not places enough in town, where you *' may find good company to board, or lodge with?" .*' --Doubtlcfs there are many fuch, fir," replied file, with fome fpirit, *' and if I am fo unhappy as .*' not to have any friend fo kind to make me an *' invitation, fhall be obliged to feek an afylum " among ilrangrers." • , Mr, A///} Be TSY Thought LESS. 307 Mr. Thoughtlefs locked a little confounded at thcfe words ; he had fcen from the beginning of her difcouifc, the aim to which it tended, and as he had his own reafons for not complying with her dcfires, would not feem to unJerftand her, bur (he r.ow fpoke too plain, and he was fomewliat at a lofs what anfwer to make, fo as not to give her any caufe of accufin;^ his want of affcvflion, and at the fame time put her off from expeding he would agree to, what (he would have him, in this point, when fortunately for his relief, a letter jult brought by the pofl was prcfented to iVlifs Bctfy. '* From L e,'* faid (he, as foon as (he took it into her hand. " From brother Frank, '' then, I fuppofc," cried he. — '* No," anrvvcred fhe, " from lady TruOy : you will excufe mc, " brother, while I look over the contents." She broke it open while (he was fpeaking, and read to herfclf as follows : To Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. ' My dear Mifs Betfy\ SI R Ralph received yefterday a letter U{d^\ Mr. Though lefs, dated Calais the tiird in- ftanr, fo I doubt not, but by this time I may congratulate you on his fafe arrival in London ; but I am forry to acquaint you, that while you were efnbracing one brother, you were in very great danger of lofmg another ; but do not be too much alarmed, 1 hope the w.orft is paft ; — I believe he gave you an account hinifclf, that by an unlucky fall from his horfe he was pre- vented from going to London fo foon as he had defigned, but the mifchief done him by this ac- cident, was much greater than he imagined at the time of his writing to you. What he took only for a common bruife proved to be a contufi- on, and for want of proper care at lirll, thrcught ' the 3o8 r/:^ H i S T O R Y cf the outrageoufnefs of the pain, foon brought on a fever : for two whole days we were ia the utmofl apprehenlions for his life, but now, thanks to the auiiior of aii mercies, wc arc afllircd by tliC phyhcian that attends him, and who is ef^ teemed the mof!: fkilful this country affords, that he is \vi a fair way of doing w'ell. — His delirium has quite left him, and he ha? recovered the ufe. * of his reafon, fo far as to intreat I would fend the warmefl w:[hes of his heart to you, and to defire you will make the iamj acceptable to his dear brother, if you are yet fa happy as to fee him : —he alfo ei joins you to put his compliments to * to Mr. Trueworth, in fuch words as are befitting * the friendihip you know he has for him.— -I have * much to fay to you from myfelf, on the fcore of that gentleman, and flioulJ be glad to add to the advice I have already given you, but am deprived of that fiuisfaition by the' arrival of fome com- pany, who ar^ come to pafs a week c r tbrtniglit * with us, therefore muft defer what I have to {-<\y till another c>ppcrti:nity.-"P'arev;d, JQuy heaven {lin keep you under its protection, and your gcar- * dian angel never fail his charge.— -Be ailurCid, ' that though I do not vvrite fo long, nor io often ' to you as I could wifli, I am always, ' With the greateftfincerity, * My dear Mifs Bctfy, * Your very afFc(fiionate friend, ' And humble fcrvant, M. Trusty.' « P, S. I wrote the above this morning, becaufe ' one of our men was to liave gone pretty early * to town, but Sir Ralph having fome letters ,of ' his own, which were not then ready, detained ' him, and I have now the pleafure to tell you, ' that the dc6lor, who is this moment come * from your brothsr^s chamber, alTures me, that " he iVf(/} Betsy Thoughtless. 309 ' he has found him wonderfully amended, fince * his vifit to him laft night.— Once more, m/ * dear, adieu/ Mr. 'Fhoughtlefs perceiving feme tears in the eyes of Mifs Betfy, while (he was reading, cried out, " What is the matter, fi(ler ? --I hope no ill " news from the country."— - " Be plcafed to read *' that, Sir," faid flic, giving him thcletter, "and ** fee if I had nut caufe to be afleded, with fome •' part of it." *' Poor Frank," faid he, as foon as he had done ** reading, " I am very forry for the accident Iras *' happened to him, but more glad that it is like ** to be attended with no worfe confcqucnccs. *' Do not be melancholy, my dear lifter, you find " he is in a fair way of recovery, and I hope wc *' fliall foon have him with us. I long very '* much to fee him," continued he, '* and the *' more (o, as I have fpoke in his behalf to a general '* officer, whom I contracted an intimacy with at *' Paris, and who has pronnfcd him all the fcrvice " he can, in procuring him a commiffion." They had fome further talk on family affairs, after which he told her, he was troubled to leave her alone, but was obliged to return to fome com- pany he had made an ^ilopement from when he came there. At partirig, he f luted her with a great deal of alTeclion, -dcfired fne would be chear- ful, and faid, he dare believe file had too n^uch merit ever to have any real caufe lo be other wife. This tenuernefs very much exhilcrated her droop- ing fpirits,- — fne extertained freili hopes of being ill the houfe with a brother, who (lie found de- figned to live in the moft elcgnntand polite manner, wh'ch v/as what fhe had, at prefent, the moft at heart of any tiling in the world : - the now began to fancy he did not propofc it lo her, either becaufe he did not think fhe would iipprove of it, or be- caufe he feared', that to teflify any defire of remov- ing 310 rhe HISTORY of ing her might offend Mr. Goodman, as fhe had boarded with him ever fince (he came to town 5-7- flie therefore refolved to defire the favour of that gentleman to mention it to him, as of his own ac- cord, and let her know v/hat anfvvcr he fhould make.- --This idea gave her fome pleafure for a while, but it was as foon diffipated j— -the thoughts of her brother Frank's misfortune, and the danger fhe could not be furc he was yet perfeflly recovered from, came again into her mind ; but this alfo vanilhed, on remembring the hopes lady Trufly had given her, yet ftili (he was difcontcnted^ though fne knew not well at what. ---In fine, file was fo little accuftomed to reflect much on any thing, much lefs to be alone, that it became extremely ipk^iniie to her,--- " What a wildernefs is this *' houf.' !" cried fhe to herfelf.--" What a fright- *' ful folitude !-— One would think all the world *' knew lady Mellailn and Mifs Flora were gone, '* that nobody comes near the door.— How Ifill ? *' How quiet is every thing ?*'--- Then would (lie flart from her chair, meafure how many paces were in the room, ---look at one pi6fure,--then on ano- ther,- -then on her own refemblance in the great giafs;---but all this would not do :— (he wanted fomebody to talk to,---f!3mething new to amufe herfelf with.---" I wonder," faid flie, " what is *' become of Trueworth,---! have not fecn him *< thefe three days,- --indeed I ufcd him a little ill '' at our laft converfation ;— but what of that ? *^ If he loves me as well as he profeiTes, he will " not fure pretend to be affronted at any thing I do. *' •- My brother defires me to give his compli- " ments, but if the man will not come to receive " them, 'tis none of my fault ;--- yet after all," continued (lie, having paufcd a little, " what pri- " vilege has our fex to infult and tyranize over the ** men.?— It is certainly both ungenerous and un- " grateful Mifs ufs BETsr Thoughtless, 311 ** grateful to ufe them the worfe, for ufing us, " perhaps, better than we deferve.---Mr. U>ue- *' worth is a man of fetife, and, if J were in his " place, I would not take fuch treatment from '* any woman in the world. --I could not much *' blame him if he never faw me more. ---Well, --- " when next he comes, I will, however, behave '' to him with more refpedt." Thus did the di6lates of a truly rcafonablc wo- man, and the idle humour of a vain coquette, pre- vail by turns over her fluctuating mind :--her ad- venture at Mifs Forward's canie frefli into her head ;---fhe was in fome moments angry with Mr. ' Trueworth for offering his advice; in others, more angry with hcrfelf, for not having taken it.--- She remained in this perplexity till a (crvant, finding it giew late, and that his maftcrdid not fup at home, came in, and afked her if fhe would not pleafe to have the cloth laid, to which fhe anfwered, with all her heart ; on which, the table being immedi- ately fprcad, (lie eat of fomething that was there, and Toon after went to bed, where, 'tis probable. Die loft in flecp, both all the pleafure and the pain of her paft meditations. Mr. Goodman was all this while, as well for fe- veral fucceeding days alfo, bufily employed on an af- fair no lefs difagreeable than it was new to him j but by the diligence and adroitnefs of his lawyer, he got the affidavits, the warrant, and every thing necefTary for the intended profecution of Marplus and lady Mellafin, ready much fooncr, than many others would liave done, or he himftlfhad expedttd. The fatigue and perplexity he was under was indeed very great, as may be eafily fuppofcd, yet did it not render him negUj6iful of Mifs Betfy :--- (he h:d defircd* him to fpeak to her brother on her account, and he did fo the firft opportunity,-- not as if the thine had been mentioned by her, but a^ if 312 ^he HISTORY of if he, in the prcfent fituation of his family, thou^it her removal convenient. Mr. Thoughtlefs, from what his fiQer had faid, expeded he Ihould onctsme or other be fpoke more plainly to upon that fubject, had prepared himfelf with an anfwer ;---he told Mr. Goodm.in, that nothing could have been more fatisfadory to him, ^ than to have his fider vi'ith him, if her being fey' were any ways proper;—-" but,'' faid he, *' as I " am a fingle man, I {hall have a crowd of gay *' young fellows continually coming to my houfc, *^ and 1 cannot anfwer that all of them would be *' able to behave with that ftiidt decorum, which *' I ihould wiili to fee always obferved towardti a *' perfon fo near to me : --her prefence, perhaps, '* might be fome check upon them, and theirs no " lefs difagreeable to her.— In fine, Mr. Good- '* man," continued he, " it is a thing wholly in- *' confiflent with that freedom I propofe io live *' in, and I would not have her think on it." It was not that this gentleman wanted natural affedion for his fii^cr, that he refufed what he was fenfible ihe fo much defired, but he was at prefent fo circumdanced, that to have complied would, Uiider a fhew of kindnefs, have done jier a real in- jury.-- He had brought with him a young and very beautiful miftrefs from Paris, of whom he was fond, and jealous to that extravagant degree, that he could fcarce fuffer hc^r a moment from hisfight:— he had promifed her the fole command of his houfe and . fervants, and that fhe (hould appear as his wife in all . refpeds except the name.- --How could he, there- , fort, brina: home a filler, who had a light to, and doubtlefs would have claimed all thofc privileges a- nother was already in pofluiiion of ?— - And how • would it have agreed wiih the charader of a virtu- ous young lady, to have lived in ti^e fame houfe . with a woman kept by her brother as his miftrefs .? ; But Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 31J But this was a lecret mils Bctiy was as )ec wholly unacquainted witk ^ and when mr. Good- man repeated to her what had pafled between rthem, on her (core, and the excufe her brother had made for not complying with the propofal, fhe thought it i^o weak, and withal i'o unkind, that ihe could not forbear burlting into tears ; -— the good-natured old gentleman could not lee her thus afflicled without being extremely con- cerned, and laying many kind things to pacify her : — *' Do not weep," laid he, *' I will make " it my bufineis, — nay my lludy, to procure " lome place where you miv be boarded to your " ratisfadion." — '' I bec», lir, that you will noc " millake my meaning, I iV) a/Ture you, fir, •' I am not wanting in feiilibility of your good- " nefs to all our family, and to me in particular. *' -^I mull indeed be ftrauL^-ily ftupid not to *' think myfelf hajipy under the protection of a *' gentleman of fo liunuine and benign a difpofiti- *' on. — No, fir, be perlwaded there is n(i houle *' in London, except that of an own brother, I " woald picfer to yours 5 •— I will, therefor'^, *' with your permifTuMi, continue here, norenter- " tain the leaft thought of removing, unlels fome " accident yet unf >rereen (blige me to it/' Mr. Goodman then told her, that he fhould be glad /he would always do what was mod for her own eafe. This was all the difcourfe they had Upon this head, and when mils Betfy began to confider ferioufly on the behaviour both of lady Mellafin and mifs Flora, fhe found there was lit- tle reafon for her to regret the lo(s of their focie- ty^ — nor that Ihe ought to think mr. Good- man's houfe lels agreeable for theif being out of itj — llie received all fuch as Ihe approved of, who had come to vifit them, and by doing i^o were acquainted with her, and as to thole, who Vol. I. P vifitejl 514 "J^he HISTORY of viiiied hcclclf in particular, it was the fame as ever. — Mr. Goodman's kinlwoman, now his Jioufekeepeer, was a well-bred, accomplifhed woman, and a chearful agreeable companion 5-'^ ihe leemed Itudious to oblige her ^ — all the iervants were ready to do every thing fhc defired, and it would have been difEciih fgr her to have found any place where fl-je could have been bet- ter accommodated, or have had more caufe to be contented 3 and flie would doubtlels have thought herfelf more happy than ihe had ever been ^w\zt^ her coming to mr. Goodman's, if other things of a different nature had not given her fome un- quiet moments. But befides the unkindnefs of one brother, on whom ihe had built the moil pleafing hopes, and the indifp(;firion of another, for whom fhe had a very great ,affe6:ion, the late behaviour of mr. Trueworrh gave her much miuter of mortifica- tion : — ili'e had not leen him for upwards of a week,-— (lie imputed this abfence to the rebuff jhe had given him at his hit vifit 5 and though ihe could not avoid confeffing in her heart, that 111 e bad treated him neither as a gentleman, nor a friend, yet her vanity having iuggefted, that he was incapable of refenting any thing fhe did, re- ceived a prodigious iliock by the di'appointment it now fuflained. _— — — —. , ^, C H A P. XL. (Contains only fwb 'fb'ings as the reader might reasonably i%ocQ to ha'je been informed of be- fore. IT v/?s the fate of mi fs Berfy to a-ttra6^ » great number (»f admirers, but never to keep alive, for anv kngth of time, the i]fi.m© ihe had infpireii them i Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 315 them with. — • Whether this was owing to the in- conftancy of the addrdTers, or the ill conduct of the perfon addreiTed, cannot ablohitely be deter- mined ; but it is highly probable, that both thele motives might fometimes concur to the lofing hec fo many conquells. — Mr. Trueworth had beea the molt aflfiduous, and alio the moll perlevering of all, that had ever yet wore her chains j—— his love had compelled his judgment to pay an im- plicit obedience to her will ;— — he had Ibbmitred to humour all the little extravagancies of her temper, and affe(5led to appear eafy at what his real()n could not but difapprove^ — — he had flat- tered himfelf, that all that was blameworthy in her would wear ofif by degrees, and that every error would be her laft, 'till a Jong I'ucceflion of repeated inadvertencies made him firlt begin to fear, and then to be convinced, that however in- nocent riie mi«hr be in fail, her manner of bt-ha- \ lour would A\ luit with the charafler lie wifhed iiiould always be maintained by the WQman he made choice of for a wite. His meeting her at mils Forward^ her ob- ftinare perlilling in going to the play with thic abandoned creature, after the remonllrances he had made her on that I'core, — her returning hoi-.ie lo late, and in dilbrder, condLj, — no, * — it mufl be this mifs Flora meaned by that em- * phatic exprefTion.—— The orher could not hide * the conlequence of her Ihaineful palTion from * the family ,—*- lady Mellaiin and mifs Flora * muii know k, and perhaps many more, who, * while they were witneiles of the refpe^t I paid * her, laughed at the folly of mv fond credu- ' lify.' Thus at fume times did he believe her no lefs guilty tlian the letter laid, but at others, fenti- ments of a diHercnt nature prevailed, and plead- ed in her favour 5 — — her advc;nture witl) the gen- tleman commoner at Oxford came into his head : — ' If the too great gaiety of her temper,' faid he, * led her into a danger, /lie then had cou- * rage and virtue to extricate herlelf out of it.' — He alio recolledled levcral cxprefTions fh« had calually let fall, teftifying her dildain and abhorrence of every thing that had the leaft ap- pearance of indecency ^— but then relapfing in- to his former doubts,*—' Yet who,' cried he, again, * can account for accident ?——* flie might * in one unguarded moment grant what in aiw- * ther file would blufh to think of.' How terrible is the fituation of a lover, wha endeavours all he can to reco-ncile his reaibn to his padion, yet to which flde loever he bends his thoughts, finds th. 2111 things fo diamerrically op- pofite and incompatible, that either the one op the other mull be totally renounced. —— Willing therefore to take the party, which would belt be- come his honour and reputation, mr. Trueworth reiolved to banifli from his mind all the ideas of thofe amiable qualities he had admired in mifs P 5 Belly, 3i8 ne HISTORY of JBetfy, and remember only thofe which gave him occafion for diCgufl: But this WIS a tafk not fb eafy to be acconj- plifhed as he imagined 5 for though the ir- regularity of mifs BetfV's condnfl was of itfelf fufficienf to deter him from a marriage with her, yet he found he flood in need of all helps to ena- ble him to drive that once fo pleafing objedt en- tirely from his mind. To be therefore more fully confirmed how ut- terly unworthy /he was of his regard, than could be made by this anonymous acculation, he went in perfon d-own to Dcnham, where following the di- re(5lions given him in the letter, the cottage where Goody Bufliman lived was prefently pointed out to hinij by the fiifl perfon he enquired of.— * So far, at lead,* faid he to himfelf, * the letter- * writer has told truth.*— He then fent his fer- vant with the horfes to wait his return at a public houfe in the village, and walked towards the place he came in fearch of. He found the honeit countrywoman holding a child in her arms on one fide of the fire,— two roly boys were fitting oppofice to her, with each a great piece of bread and butter in his hand. — - At fight of a ftrange gentleman flie got off her itat, and dropping a low curtefy, cried, * Do you * pleale to want my husband, fir?'*—* No', laid Hir. Trueworth, * my bufinefs is with you, if you * are mrs. Bufhman.' — ' Goody Buihman, an't * pleafe you, fir,' replied flie. ^ — • And then bid- ding the boys get further from the chimney, reach- ed him the handfomell joint-ftool her cottage af- forded for him to fit down. He told her, that he had a kinfwoman, who had Ibme thoughts of putting a child to nurfc in- to the country, — that (he had been recommend- ed •*-— ' bur,' (kid he, * can we have nothing ta ' drink Mifs BetsV Thoughtless. 319 * drink together ? — What fort of liqnor does * this part of the world afford,'— -* Alack fir/ replied fhe, * you fine gentlemen, mayhap, mar ' like nothing but wine, and there is none to be * had any nearer than Uxbridjpe.' -^* Nor cy- * der,' cried he. — * I am afraid none good* re- plied fhe, * b:it there is pure good ale down the * lane, if your honour could drink thar.' «—* k * is all one to me,' faid -mr. Trueworth, * ifyovi * like it yourfelf.'—— Then turning to him wlio feemed the eldeit of th« two boys, ' I Ihppoie, * my lad,' continued he, * you can procure us a * tankard of this fame ale.' — * Yes, fir/ cried his mother, haftily, ' go to Philpot's, and bid * them lend a can of their beft ale, and, do you * hear, defire my dame to draw it herfelf.' — Mr. Trueworth then g^ve the boy fume money, and he went on his errand, prudently taking with him a large flice of bread that feappened to lie upon the drefler. * That is a fine child yon have in your Jap/ faid mr. Trueworth, * is it your own?'-*-* No. ' fir/anfwered Hie,—* this is a young Londoner. — •* Some wealthy citizen's, I fuppofe/ rejoined l^e. »— ^* No, by my truly, fir/ faid Hie, * it has neither father not mother, and belike muft have gone to the parifh, if a good fweet young lady had not taken pity of it, and given it me to nurle 5 and, would you think it, fir, is as kind to it, and pays a^ punctually for it, as if it were her own.—— My husband goes up to London every month to receive the money, and (he ne- ver lets him come home without ir,and gives him over and above fix- pence or a Hiilling to drink upon the road j — poor man,— — he loves a ihp of good ale dearly, — that's all his fault,— though I cannot iky he ever negle^s his bufi- neis3^;^|he is up| early and down late, and P 4 * ' docs 320 rhe HISTORY of * does a power of work for a little money. — * Sir Roger Hill will employ nobody but him, * and good reafon, becaufe he makes him take * whatever he pleafes, and that is little enough, * God knows, for he is a hard man, and if it were ' not for my nurfing, we could not make both * ends meet, as the faying is ^ — ^ but he is our * landlord, and we dare not dilbblige him.' This innocent countrywoman would probably have run on with the whole detail of her family affairs, if mr. Trueworth, defirous of turning the tide of her communicative difpofition into a chan- nel more fatisfaf^ory to his curiofity, had not in- terrupted her. ' lliis \'i a verv extraordinary charity you have * been telli* g me of,' iiud he, ' el'pecially in a * young lady ^ — {\\^ muft certainly be fome- * what of kin to th* child,'——* None in the * varfal world, fir,' anfwered llie, * only her god- * mother.' — The boy now bringing m the ale, nir. True worth was obliged to tafte ir, and teftify fome fort of approbation, as the good woman had praifed it lb much 5 but he made her drink a hearty draught of it, after which, * And pray,* refumed he, ' what is the name of the child V •— * O fir, replied Hie, the lady has given it her own name, Betfy;— file is called mifs Betfy Thoughtlefs herlelf, — though ilie is a woman grown, and might have had a child or two of her own,* — but you know, fir, they are all called mifs 'rill they are married.' Mr. Trueworth in the prefent diflurbance of his thoughts making no reply, fhe went on : • * She is a fweet young lady, I can tell you, fir.' * faid file ; I never faw her but once, and that ' was when I went to fetch the child, Aie ufed * me with fo much familiarity, — not a bit proud, * charged me to take care of her little Betfv, and '* told Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 321 ' told nie, if fhe lived, I (hould keep her till ' /lie was big enough to "o to fchoo), — and told ' me, (lie would have her learn to write, and ' read, and work ; — and then (he would put her * 'prentice to a niantua-miker, or a milliner, or * Ibme fuch pretty trade, — and then who knows^^ * iir,' continued fhe, holding up the child at arms length, and dancing it, but ibme great gentleman * or other may fall in love with my little Bctfy, * and I may live to lee her ride in her coacli? * — 1 warrant (lie will make much of her old* * nurfe.* * There are many (Irange things happen in the * world, indeed,' laid mr. Trueworth, with ^ ligh. After which, thinking there wis no further diicovery to be made, he role up to go away j but feeing the change of tht: money he had fenr, by the boy for the beer, lie upon the table, he gave it to him, faying, * Here, my good boy, * take this, and divide it with your brother, ta * buy apples.' — Then turning xo the nurfe took his leave of her with this complimenr, * Well, mrs. Bufhrnan, I believe you are a very * honeft careful Woman, and (hall not fail to re- * member you whenever it comes in my way,w * •^-— In the mcjn time, added he, putting a crown piece into her hands, * take this, and make * merry with your husband.' •— The poor woman was fo tranfported, that fhe knew not how to rhank him fufficiently, — fhe made twenty cur- tefies, crying, ' heaven bleis you, fir 3 — you * are a right noble gentleman I am fure. — Marry * fuch guefh come not every day.'— And witl> ft>Q.h like expre{lii;ns of gratitude, followed him 'till he was quite out of hearing. What now could this enquiring lover tl>ink ? ——Where was the lealt room for any conje<5hire ii) favour of mjfs Bcrly's innoc^iiice, to gain en- . P 5 trance 322 the HISTORY c/ rrance into his breaft ? — He had feen the child, — • had heard by whom, and in what manner it was delivered : — the charge given with it, and the prnmiies made for its future proteflion, and whether the nurfe was really fo weak as to be impofed upon by this pretence of charity, or whe- ther bribed to impofe it upon others, the fa6l, as related in the letter, appeared to him fo plain, from every circumftance, as to admit no poflibility of a doubr. A marriage with mifs Betfy was, therefore, jnow quite out of the queflion with him , — the fa/liion of entirely breaking with her, was the on- ly thing that puzzled him.— Loth he was to re- proach her wirh the caufe, and equally loth to be deemed fb inconllant, as to quit her without a ji>(tifiable one. — He remained in this dilemma for the fpace of two days, at the expiration of which, after much debating* within himlclf, he wrote, and fent to her, by a lervanr, the follow- ing epiftle : To mifs Betsy Thoughtless. ' M adam, * OP PI E very ill fuccefs I have met with, In * •*■ the only bufineis which brought me to this * town, has determined me to quit it with all pol- * fible expedition, and not to think of a return, * 'till 1 find myfelf in a difpofition more capable of * relifhin^ its pleafures. You have given rne, * madam, too many inliances how little agreeable * my prel.ence has ever been, not to convince me, * that I ftand in no need of an apology for not wait- * ing on you in perfon, and that this diftant way * of taking my leave will be lefs unwelcome to * ,you than a vifit, which perhaps would only have * interrupted your more gay amufements, and * broke Mifs Betsy TtrotcHTLEss. 523.- *' broke in for fome moments, on (hit round of ' pleafurcs, with which you are perpetually en- * compafled. — — May you long enjoy all the feli- * cities the fafhion you chufe to live in can beftov/y ' while I retire to folitude, and lolt in conteiu- ^'plation, on fome late aftonifhing occurrences, * cry out with the poet : * There is no wonder, or elfe all is wonder.' ' If I fpeak in riddles, a very iinall retro fpe 61: ''on fome remarkable paflages in your own con- ' du6t will ferve for the folution j— but that 'might probably be impofing on yourfelf too * great a tallc. — I fliall therefore trouble you no * farther than to affure you, that though I ceafe to * fee you, I Hiall never ceile to be, * With the moll friendly wifhes, * Madam, * Your very humble fervanf, * C. Tr uewor th. Mr. Trueworth having difpatch'd this letter, which he doubted not but would finifh all his con- cerns with mifs Betly, thought he had nothing more to di), than to take leave of the friends he had in town, and retire to his feat in the country, and there endeavour to lofe the remembrance of all that had been difpieafing to him (ince he left it. CHAP. XLI. L of very fmall importance, yet contains fucb T kings a hi he reader may exped to hear. WHILE mr. Trueworth was employing himfelf in exploring the truth otniils Bet- fy*s imaginary crime, and hunting after fecrets to render her more unworthy of his love, that young lady's head was no lefs tiiken up with him, though in 324 yi-^ H I S T O R Y of ' in a widely different manner 5 — fhe wanted not a juft fenle of the merits, both of his perfon and paffion^ nnd though a plurality of lovers, the power of flattering the timid with vain hopes, and awing tlie proudelt into fubmiffion, feemed to her a greater triumph, than to be the wife of the molt delerving man on earth, yet when Ihe confulted her heart, flie found and avowed within herfelf, fne could part with that triumph, with lefs reluc- tance in favour of mr. Trueworth, than of any other (lie yet had feen. His abfence, therefore, and the flrange neglefl he teftiilc'd in not fending to acquaint her with, the caufe, gave her as much inqietude, as a perfon oF her humour c(^uld be capable of feeling j — but v;heiher it proceeded in reality from the firfl Shootings of a growing inclination, or from that Yanity, which made her dread the lofsof fo ac- compliHi'd a lover, cannot be eafily determined ? — ^ but to which foev^r of thefe caules it was ow- ing, I think we may be pretty certain, that had he vifitcd her in the iituation her mind then was, he v;ould have had no reafbn to complain of his reception. She never went abroad without flattering her- felf with the expe^fation of hearing, on her return Iiorne, that he had been there, or at leaft that ibme letter or meflage from him had been left for her, and every difappointment involved her in frelh perplexity.- — In fine, if flie had confi- dered him v^ith half that jull regard, while he con- tinued to think her vvorihy of his afieftions, as fhe was beginning to do when he was endeavouring to drive ail favourable ideas of her from his mind, they might both have been as happy as atprefent they were the contrary. She had been with mifs Mabel, and two other ladies of her acquaintance, to lee that excel- lent Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 3^^ lent comedy, called theCarelels Husband : — /lie was very much afi:e6led with lonie fee nes in ir :— /he imagined Ihe faw heiTeJf jn the charaiier of lady Betty Modilh, and mr. Tiueworth in that of lord Morelove, and came home full of the moft ferious refleftions, on the folly of indulging an idle vanity, at the cxpence of a man of honour and finceriry. - — She was no looner within the doors, than the letter above-meniioned was put into her hands, ——as they told her, it had been left for her in the beginning of the evening, by one of Mr. Trueworth's lervants, and fhe knew both by the fuperlcriprion, and device on the feal, that it came from that gentleman. Hie ran haflily up flairs to her chamber, in order to examine the contents- but what flutterings feized her hejrt ! " — What an univerlal agitation difTufed itfelf through all her frame, on reiding even the firit lines of this cruel epiftle ! * Good heaven !" cried * file, ' going out of town, — not to return."—. And then having proceeded a liitle further j — * V\ har," added flie, ' not fee me before he goes, * —^ fiire the man is either mad, or 1 am in a * dream.' Surprife, and foms mixture of a tender re- morfe, were the firil emotions of her foul ^ but when fhe came to that part of the letter, which feemed to refle<^ upon her conduft, and the way in which flie chofe t'o.live, her native haughtinels reaffumed its former power, and turned her alT into dildain and rage.— * No retrofpefft,' faid /he, * on my own behaviour, can ever juffify the V audacious reproaches he treats me with.— If I -* have been to blame, it is not his province to [ •upbraid me with it.' As fhe was entirely ignorant of the bafe artifice ''tad been put in prailice againft her, and was con- Icious of no fault mr. True worth had to accufe her 325 W^ HISTORY of her of, but that of her going with mifs Forward to the play, after the warning he had given her of the danger, it muft be confefled, fhe had a right to think the provocation too flight to draw from him fuch refentfiil expreffions, much lefs to» induce him to abandon her. * Ungrateful man,' faid ihe, burlting into tears of mingled grief and fpite, ' to ufe me thus, * when I was juffc beginning to entertain the kind- * eft thoughts of him ! — • When I was ready to * acknowledge the error I was guilty of, in not * following his advice, and had refolved never to * throw myfelf into i'uch inconveniencies again. * — 'Tis plain he never loved me, or he would * not have taken fo poor,—* fo trifling a pretence * to break with me.* Thus, for fome moments, did /he bewail, as- it were, the ill treatment flie thought fhe had re- ceived from him. -^— Then looking over the let- ter again, * With what a magifterial air,' cried file, *^ with what an affeflation of fuperiority * does he conclude !— With the moft friendly * wiilies my humble fervant. — • Good lack ! *•— friendly !— let him carry his friendly * wiihes to thole he may think may receive them * as a favour/ Upon revolving in her mind all the circum- ftances of her behaviour towards mr. Trueworrh, fhe could find nothing, except what pafled at his laft vifit, that could give him any occafion for dif- guif, and even that ihe looked upon as a very in- iufEcient plea for that high refentment he now, cxprcfled, much more for his refolving to throw off a paflion he had a thoufand and a thoufand times vowed fhould be as lafting as his life, i The anonymous letter fent her by mifs Flpra, fome time fince, now came frefh into her mind 5 r— ' that paflage in it, which inlintiated, that mr. Trueworrh Mifs Betsv Thoughtless. 327 Trueworth had no real defign of marrying her, — — that he but trifled with her, and on the arrival of her brothers would find feme pretence or other to break entirely with her, fecnied now to tally exaftly with his prefent manner of proceeding. — * The devil/ laid (he, * may fome time fpeak ' truth, mr. Trueworth has but too well ve- * rified the words of that malicious girl, and what * /he herfelf then thought a filfhood is now con- * firmed by fad j— yet, wherefore,* cried /he again, * did he take all this pains, if he never * loved me, — never hoped any recompence for * hisdiflimulation, what end could he propofe by * pra<5tifing it? — What advantage, what plea- * lure could it give him to affront the fifter of his ' friend, and impofe upon the credulity of a wo- * man he had no defign upon?'- It would be endle/sto repeat the many contradi«5lory furmifes, which rofe alternately in her dillrafled mind, ib I /liall only fay, /lie fought, but the more Hie did fo, the more /lie became incapable of fathom- ing the bottom of this myfterious event. The butler was laying the cloth in the parlour for fupper when Ihe came home, Mr. Good- man had waited for her fome time, thinking flie might be undrefling, and now lent fo defire /lie would come down 5 but /he begged to be excufed, — faid Ihe could not eat, and then called for Kanny, who was the maid that ufualJy attended her in her chamberj to come up and put her to bed. This prating wench, who would always know the whole fecrets of every body in the family, whether they thought fit to entruft her with theni or not, ufed frequently to divert mifs Betfy with her idle /lories 5 but it was not now in her power, — that young lady had no attention for any thing, but the object of her prefent meditations, which 328 The HISTORY of 1 which tl^e other not happening to hit upon, was '- anTwered only wirh peevidinels and ill humour. But as eveiy little circumftance, if any way adapted to the pafTion we at that time are poflefled of, touches upon the jarring ftring, and leems a milTioner from fate 5 an accident, the molt trifling that can be imagined, ferved to renew in Mils Betfy, the next morning, thole anxieties, which, fleep had, in fome meaiure, abated. A ballad-finger happening to be in the ftreet, the firll; thing Ihe heard, on her waking, was thefe words, lung in a fonorous voice, juft under her window : * Young Philander woo'd me long, *I was pee villi, and forbad him 5 * I would not hear his charming fong^ * But now I wi(h, I wifh I had him.' Though this was a fong at that time much in vogue, and Mifs Betfy had cafually heard it an hundred times, yet in the humour Ihe now was^ it beat an alarm upon her heart, j It reminded her how inconfiderate Hie had been, and fliewed the folly of nor knowing how to place a juft value on any thing, 'till it was loft, in fuch Itrong co- lours before her eyes, as one would Icarce think it poiTible, an incident iw itfelf lb merely bagatelle could have produced. Again (he fell into very deep refveries, and di- vefting herfelf of all pariion, pride;, and the pre- judice her vanity had but too much inlpired her with, fhe found, that tlunigh Mr. Tru?worth had carried his refentment further than became a man, who loved to that degree, as he pretended to have done 5 yet flie could no way jullify her- ft\^ to her brother Frank, lady Trully, or any of thofe friends, who had efpouled his caufe^ for having given him the provocation. To Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 329 To heighten the fpleneric humour Hie was in, Wr. Goodman, who having been taken up with his own affiiiis, had not mentioned Mr. True- worth to her for fome days, happened this morn- ing, as they fat at breakfaft, to afk her how the courtfliip of that gentleman went on, and whe- ther there was like to be a wedding, or not ? — Perceiving (lie bhifhed, — hung down her head, and made no anfwer, — ' Nay, — nay,' — fa id he, * I tahi you long ago I would not interfere in thefe * matreis, and have le(s reafon now than ever to * do lo, as your eldeil brother is in town, and * who is doubtlefs capable of advifing you for the * be ft.* - Mils Betly wa^ in a good deal ofcon- fufion 5— Hie knew not as jer whether it would be proper for her to acquaint Mr. Goodman with what had pafTed between Mr. Trueworrh and her- lelf, or to be filent on that head, 'till fFie (hould lee what a little time might bring about. — As file was thinking in what manner Ihe Aiould re- ply, Mr. Goodman's lawyer, luckily for her re- lief, came in, and put. an end to a difcourfe, which, in the prefent fituation of her mind, flie was very unfit to bear a part in. But as if this was to be a day of continued ad- monitions to Mifs Betfy, Hie was no fooner dreft, and ready to quit her chamber, than fhe heard Mifs Mabel's voice upon the llairs.— As that young lady was not accuftomed to make her any morning vifits, flie was a little furpriied 5 — (lie ran however to meet her, faying, ' This is a fa- * vour I did not expert, and therefore have the * more caufe to thank you.' — ' I do not knov/,* replied the other, as flie entered the room, ' whe- Vther you will ihink I deferve thanks or not, * when you hear the bufinefs that brought me 5 * for I aflure vou I ain come only to chide you.' — *I think,' faid Mifs Betly, wuh a Egh, * that all * the 530 ne HISTORY of * the world taHes the liberty of doing lb with me 9 * bur, pray, my dear,' continued ilie, * how am ' I io unhappy as to deierve it from you ?' * Why > on. mud know,* replied Mifs Mabel. * that I have taken upon me to be the champion * of diitrefs'd love 3 — you have broken a fine * gentleman's heart, and I am come to tell you, * tnat you mufl either make it whole again, as it ' was befoie he Ikw you, or repair the damage he ' has fuftained by giving him your own.'— — ' I * plead not guilty,' faid Mils Berfy, in a tone fomewhat more fprighrly than bef<^re, ' but pray^^ * who has gained io great an influence overyou * as to fend you on io doughty an errand ?'*— ' No, * my dear, jou are quite miftaken in the matter,* replied the other, — * 1 afTure you I am not lent * «— I am only led by my own generofity, and the * fight of prK)r Mr. Trueworth's defpair.' ^ ' Trueworrh,' cried MifsBetfy hallily, * What do * yoli mean ?'— I mean,' replied the Other, * to * engage you, if the litrle rhetoric I am mUlrels * of can prevail on you to consider, that while w^ * ufe a man oflenfe and honour ill, we doourfelves * a real injury. — The love our beauty has inlpired, * may, for a time, fecure our power, but it will * grow weaker by degrees,and every little coquette- * air we give ourl^lves, leflen the value of our * charms.*— I know there is at prelent fome very * great brulee between you and Mr. True worth ^ ' — he is a match every way deferving af you,— - * he has the approbation of all your friends, and 1 * have heard you acknowledge, you are not inleti-' * fible of his merit ; to what end then do you ftudy * to perplex and give unneceflary pain to a heart,. * which you, according to all appearances, will ^ one day take a pride in rendering happy ?' * This is an extreme fine harangue, indeed,* replied Mifs Betfy^ * but I would fain know for '" what- Mifs Betsy Tboughti^s&. g^x * what reafon it is direfted to me 5 — if Mr. * Trueworth imagines I have uled hini ill, I think * it no proof of his undcrftanding, to make a pro- ' chmatioiiof it 5— but, for heaven's lake, how * came you to be the confidanre of his com- ' plaints ?' * Indeed I have not that honour/ faid Mifs Mabel ^ ' finding mylelf'a lirtle \\\ this moi'ning, * I thought the air would do me good, io went * into the park, taking only a lirtle girl with me, * who lives ar the next dour, becaufe I would not ' go quite alone : being in the defhabille you iee, * 1 croiicd the grafs, and was paiTmg towards the * back of the bird-cige walk, where who Should I * lee among the trees but Mr. Trueworth, if I may * call the obje6l that tiien prelcnted itielf to me * by that name 5 for indeed, mifs Betf^,', the poor ' gentleman feems no more than the fhadow of * himlelf — He faw me at a diftance, and I bc- * lieve would have avoided me, bat perceiving ^ my eyes were upon him, cleared up hiscounte- * nance, as well as he was able, and accofled me * with the ufual lalutations of the morning. — — * It is fomewhat furprifing, madam,' laid he, with an air of as much gallantry as he could af- fume, ' to find a lady fojuitly entitled to the ad- * miration of the world, as Mifs Mable is, fhun * the gay company of the Mall, and choofe an * unfrequented walk, like this.' * I might •retort the fame exclamation of furprife,' replied I, * at fo unexpedtedly meeting with Mr. True- * worth here.* ' After this, as you know, my dear,' continued fhe, * I have lately, on your account, had the * pleafure pretty often of Mr. Trueworth's com- * pany, I took the liberty to afk him where he had * buried himfelf, that I had not feen him for fo * many days :'— to which be anfwered, not with- out 332 ne HISTORY of out a confufion, which I faw he attempted, tho*^ in vain, to conceal from me. ^— * Yes, madam, * 1 have indeed been buried from all pleafure, — ^ * have been fwallowed up in affairs little lels tor- * mentin;^ than thofe of the gi'ave 5 — bur,' added he, ' they are now over, and I am preparing to- * return to my country feat, where I hope to re- * enjoy t'nat tranquility, which, fince my leaving * it, has been pretty much difturbed.* ' Nothing could equal my aftonifliment, at * hearing him Ipeak in this manner:' * To * your country leat !' cried I ^ * not to continue * there for any long time!' — * I know not as * yet, madam,' replied he, and then, after a paufe, * perhaps for ever,' added he. ' Bleis me/ faid I, 'this is flrange indeed, — Mifs Betfy did * not tell n)e a word of it, and I law her but lail 'night.'- ' She might not then know it, ma-^ * dam,' anlwered he 5 ' but if /he had, I am not ' vain enough to imagine, fhe would think a * trifle, fuch as my departure, worth the pains of ' mentioning.' . ' I then,' purfued Mifs Mabel, * endeavoured * to rally him out of this humour. — - After having- ' told him, I had a better opinion of your under- * ftanding and generofity, than to be capable of * believing you thought fo lightly of his friend- * iliip and aftedion, I added, that this was only * fome little pique between you, — fome jealous ' whim 5 but he replied to all I laid on this fub- * je<^ with a very grave air, pretended bulinels, * and took his leave fomewhat abruptly, for a man * of that poiiteneis, I had till now always obferved * in him.' * He carries it with a high hand, indeed,' cried * mi(s Betfy ; — ' but it is no matter,.— I fhalt * give mylelf no trouble whether he ftays in town, * r— <^f whether he goes into the country, — or ' whtiher Mifs Bet5y Thoughtless. ^^^ * whether I ever ice him more. — What ! — dues * the man think to triumph over mc ?' * I do not believe that is the cafe with Mr. * Trueworth/ f'aid the difcreet Mils Mabel 5 ' but * 1 know it is the way of many men to recriminate * in this manner, — ■ and pray vvhen they do, who ' can we blame for u but ourfelves in giving rhem * the occafion ? — For my part, I ihojld thmk it * an jffronr to myfelf to encourage the addrefTes * of a perfon, I did nfit look upon worthy of being * treateii with rel'pe(5t.' She urged many arguments to convince Mils Jjetl'y of the vanity and lil coniequences ot trifling wi'h an honourable and fincere pailion, which rho* no more than what that young lady had already made ule c>f to herlelf, and was tully perluaded in the taith of, Jhe was not very well plcaled to he;{i f:oin rli-e mouch of another. . 'i'hough the'e tuo ladies perfeflly agreed in their ientinienrs of virrueand reputation, yet their difpoliri'ms and behaviour in the affiirs of lov#» were as widely diftt ^ent, as any two perlons po. iibly could be 5 T- arid this it was, which during; the courle of their acquaintance, gave frequent interruptions to that harniony between them, which the niutu;il elleem they had tor each other'.s good qualities, would otherwise have rendered perpe- tual. CHAP. XLII. Is multum in parvo. ''T^HERE is an unaccountable pride in human -*' nature, which often gets the bct:er of our jnltice, and makes us elbouCe whst we know with- in ouriclves is wrong, rather than appear to be let llight by any reafon, except our own. Mifs 334 ^Z-"? HISTORY cf Mils Betfy had too much of this unhappy pro* penfity in her compoliiion.— • A very little reflec- tion enabled her to fee clearly enough the mil- takes file fometimes fell into , but Ihe could net bear they fhould be feen by others. — Mifs Mabel was not only in effeft the moft valuable of all the young ladies fhe converfed with, but was alfo the molt elleemed and loved by her, yet was /he lefs happy and delighted in her company, than in that of feveral others, for whom her good fenfe would not fufler her to have the lead real regard. •— The truth is, that though Ihe was very well convinced of her errors, in relation to thole men who profeffed themfelves her admirers, yet flie loved thole errors in herlelf,— thought they were pretty, and became her 3— and therefore as Ibe could not as yet refolve to alter her mode of be- haviour, was never quite eafy in the preience 0^ any one, who afled with a prudence ihe would not be at the pains to imitate. There were two young ladies, who had an a- partment in the palace of St. James's, their father having an office there, who exadlly fuired with her in the mofi: volatile cjf her moments : — they had wit, — fpirir, and were gay nlmofi: to wildnefs, ^ without the l^ll mJAnire of hbertinifn», or in- decency.— How perfr^dly innocent they were, is not the bufinels ol thi:, biilory to diiculs, but they preferved as good a reputation as their neighbours, and were weii refpected in all public places. There it was Mils Beify ciiiefly found an alylum from thofe perplexing thoughis, which in fpite of . her pride, and the indifference Ih.e had for man- Icind, would fgnjetimes intrude upon her mind on Mr. True worth's account 5 — here Ihe was certain of meeting a great variety of company j — here : was all the news and Icandal the town could fur-^ nifii 5 — here v/as murick. — dancing, — fealling, ^ flitreryj ; Mifs Betsy Thouohtless. q^^^ :Sattery 5 — in fine, here was every thing, that was an enemy to care and contemplation. Among the number of thole, who fill'd th« circle of thefe two court belles, there was a gen- tleman named Munden ; — he appeared extreme- ly charmed with mifs Betfy at firfl fighr, and after having informed himfelf of the particulars of her family and fortune, took an opportunity, as he was conducting her home one nighr, to inireat flie would allow him to pay his refpeCts to her where fhe lived. — This was a favour mifs Betfy was never very fcrupulous of granting, and coniented now the more readily, as ilie thought the report of a new lover would gall Mr. Trueworrh^ who, fhe heard by f >me, who had very lately feen him, was not yet gone r)ut of town. Mr. Munden, to reftrfy the impitience of his love, waited on her the very next day, as f )on as he thought dinner would be over, at Mr. Good- man's : — he had the fatisfa6lion of finding her alone 5 but fearing fhe might: not long be fo, fuf- fered bur a very few minutes xo efcape before he acquainted her with the errand on which he camr:— -rhe terms in which he declared him- felf her admirer, were as pathetic as could be made ufe of for the purpofe^— but though this was no more tlun iMils Betfy had expected, and would have been ftrangely mortified if difappoint- ed, by his entertaining her on any other Icore, yet /he afifefied, at firft, to treat it with furprife, and then, on his renewing his protellations, to anfwer all he iaid with a fort of raillery, m order to put him to the more expence of oarhs and afleverati- ons. It is cerrain, that whoever pretended to make his addrefles to Mifs Berfy, flood in need of being .previoufly provided with a good flock of repar- tees^ to fii ence the farcafms of the witty fair, as well S36 The HISTORY of we]] as fir»e fpeeches to engage her to more feri- oufnefi. — Mr. Munden often found himfejf at his ne plus ultra, but was not in the lealt difconcert- ed at it 5— he was a courtier 3 — he was accul- tomed to attend at the levees of the great, and knew very well, that perions in power feldom failed to exercife it over thofe, who had any de- pendance on them 5 and looj^ing on the cafe of a lover with his miftrels, as the lame with one who is folicitins; for a penfion, or employment, had armed himlelf with patience, to lubmit to every thing his tyrant ihould inflict, in the hope, that it would one us * place. — There will be a great deal of company, * and Ibme perhaps in the lame habit as yourfelf, * — this will direct my fearch, prevent my being * deceived by appearances, which otherwife I * might be, and prophanely pay my worfliip to * f )me other, inftead of the real goddefs of my * foul.; This was the method he took to ingratiate him- felf into the favour of his miftrefs, and it had the effefl, if not to make her love him, at leafl to mAke her charmed with this new conqueil, much more than fhe had been with fevcral of her former ones, though never fo much deferving her ef^ teem. . In the midfl of thefe gay fcenes, however, Mr, Trueworth came frequently into her head. — To fTnd he was in town,made her flatterherfelf, that he liixgered here on her account, aiid that, in fpite Vol. I. Q. of 3^8 ne HISTORY of of all his refolution, he had not courage to leave the fame air ilie breathed in 5 — /he fancied, that if fhe could meet him, or any accident throw him in her way, flie fhould be able to rekindle all bis former flames, and render him as much her flave as ever.— With this view fhe never went abroad without carting her eyes about, in fearch of him 5 •?— nay Ihe fometimes even condefcended to pal^ by the houfe where he was Jodgcd, in hopes of feeing him either ooing in or out, or from fbme one or other of the windows 3 but chance did not befriend her inclinations this way, nor put it in her power again to triumph over a heart, the fin- cerity of which fhe had but too ill treated, when devoted to her. In the mean time Mr. Goodman, in fpite of the perplexities his own affairs involved him in, could not help feeling a great concern forthofe of ini(s Betfy j — - he knew that Mr. Trueworth had defilted his vifits to her, — that flie had got a new lover, who he could not find had confulred the permiflion of any one but herfeif, to make his addrefles to her .5 — the late hours fhe kept, fel- dom coming home *till fonie hours after the whole family, except the fervant who iate up for her, were in bed, gave hmi alfo much matter of unea- finels, and he thought it his duty to talk ferioufly to her on all thefe points. He began with afking her, how it happened that he had not feen Mr. Trueworth for io long a time ? To which (lie replied, with the utmoft indifterence, that fhe took i'omt things ill from that gentleman, and that, perhaps, he might have Ibme lubjedl of complaint againlt her, — * There- * fore,* laid flie, * as our humours did not * well agree, it wasbeli: to break offconverfai He then queftioned her concerning Mr. J den 3 — * I hope/ laid he, * you have taken care 'to Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 33^9 • to inform yourfelf as to his character and cir- • cumftances.' — * No truly, fir,* anfwered /he, with the fame carelefs air as before, * as I never • intend to be the better or the worfe for either, I • give myfelf no pain about what he is.' — Mr. Goodman /hook his head, and was going to rea- fon with her, on the ill confequences of fuch a behaviour, when fome company coming in, broke ofF, for a time, all further difcourfe between them. CHAP. XLIir. She--vcs MJs "Betfy left entirely to her own ma- ffagemonty and the caufe of it, with fome other particulars, MR. Goodman, who had^ been a little vexed at being interrupted, in the remonftrances he thought fo highly necefiary /liould be made to Mifs Betfy, took an opportunity of renewing. them the next morning, in the ilronge/t exprei- iions he was mafter of Mifs Betfy, with all her wit, had little to fay for hcrfelf, in anfwer to the fcrious harangue made to her by Mr. Goodman, on her prelent fefhion of behaviour 5— her heart avowed the jiiftice of his reproofs, but her humour, too tena- cious of what pleal'ed itfelf, and too impatient of -eontroul, would not fuffer her to obey the dictates either of his or her own reafon. • She knew very well the tender regard he had for her, on the account of her deceafed father, and that all he fpoke was calculated for her good 3 but then it was a good /he was not at prefent ambitious of attaining, and thought it the privilege of youthto do whatever it lifted, provided the rules of virtire were unfringed, fo that all that he could get -kom her was, — that her amufemcnts were in'no- Q_2 cent,. 340 ne HISTORY of cent, — that fhe meant no harm in any thing fh& did, — that it was dull for her to fit at honve alone, and when in company could not^uitjt abruptly, on any confideration of hours. Mr. Goodman found, that to bring her to ,a- more jaft fenle of what was really her advantage, would be a tafk impoffible for him to accomplifli, and began heartily to wifh fhe were under the- care of fome perlon, who had more leifure to argue with her, on points io eflential to her hap- pinels : — • he told her, that he indeed had feared his houfe would be too melancholly a recefs for her, since the revolution that had lately happened in his family, and therefore wifhed fome mo?e proper place could be found for her 5 — * And * for fuch a one,' laid he, * I fiiall make it my bu- * finefs to enquire, -i- and there feenis not only- a * neccffity for my doing fo, but that you iLouid * alfo choofe another guardian 3 for as loon as the * preient unlucky buiinefs I am engaged in fliall * be over, it is my reiolution to break up houle- * keeping, — leave my buiinels to my nephe\y', * Ned Goodman, whom I expeci by the firft fhip * that arrives from the Eaft indies, and, having- * once leen him fettled, retire, and fpend the r^- * mainder of my days inihe country.' The melancholly accents with which Mr. Goodman uttered thefe words, touched Mifs Bet- ly very much 5 — fhe expreffed, in terms th« moft affe^Honate, the deep concern it gave her, that he had any caufe to withdraw from a way of life, to which he had io long been accuftomed.5 but added, that if it muft be fo, fhe knew no per- fon fb proper, in whole hands the little fortune llie was miftrels of fliould be entrtifted, as thofe of her brother Thoughtlels, if he would vouchfafe to take that trouble upon him. *There Mfs Betsy Thoughtless. 541^ ' There is no doubt to be made of that, I be- * lieve,' replied Mr. Goodman,' * and I fhall /peak * to him about it the firrt: time I lee him."— — They had fome farther talk on Mifs Betfy's affairs, and that young lady found, he had very largely improved the portion bequeathed her by her fa- ther J for which, in the firft emotions of her gratitude, fhc was beginning to pour forth fuch' acknowledgments, as he thought it too much ro hear, and interrupted her, faying, he had done no more, than his duty obliged him to do^ and could not have anfwered to himielf the omif- iion of any part of it. It is fo natural for people to love money, even before they know what to do with it, that it is not to be wonaered at, that Mils Betly, now arrived at an age capable of relifhing all the delicacies of life, fhould be tranfported at finding fo con- fiderable, and withal fo unexpeded, an augmen- tation of her fortune, which was no lefs than one third of what her father had left her. The innate pleafure of her mind, on this occa- fion, diffufed iifelf through all her form, and gave a double lultre to her eyes and air, fo that Ihe went with charms new pointed to a ball that night, for which the obiequious Mr. Munden had pre- fented her with a ticket ^ — but though flie had all the refpedt in the world for Mr. Goodman, and indeed a kind of filial love for him, yet flie had it not in her power to pay that regard to his admonitions (he ought to have done 5 — flic came not home till between one and two o' clock in the morning, but was extremely furprized to find, that when flie did fo, the knocker was taken off the door j a thing which, in complaifance to her, had never before been done, till fhe came in,, how late ibcver fhe rtayed abroad 5 — /lie was, »e verthelefs, much more furpnfed, as well as Q^ 3 troubled, 342 ne HISTORY 0/ troubled, when on the firft rap her chairmen gave, a footman, who waited in the hall for her return, immediately opened the door, and told her, with all the marks of forrow in his countenance, that his maftcr had been fuddenly taken ill, and that his phyfician, as well as Mrs. Barns, the houfe-: keeper, had given, ftri6t orders there (hould be no noife made in the houfe, the former having faid his life depended on his being kept perfeftly quiet. It is not to be doubted, but that, on this infor- mation, fhe went with as lirile noife as poffible lip to her chamber, where Nanny, as ihe was. putting her to bed, confirmed to her what the footman had faid, and added, that Ihe had heard' the dodor tell Mrs. Barns, as he was going our, that he was very apprehenfive his patient's difor- der would not be eafily removed. Dillempers of the body, which arife from thole of the mind, are mdeed much more difficult to be cured, than thofe which proceed from meer natural caufes. — Mr. Goodman's relentment for the ill ufage he had fuftained, from a woman he had fo tenderly loved, awhile kept up his fpirits, and hindered him from feeling the cruel iling, which preyed upon his vitals, and inienfibly flackened the firings of life 5 but the firft hurry being over, and the lawyer having told him, that every thing was drawn up, and his caule would be brought before the commons in a few days, he funk beneath the apprehenfions, — - the thoughts of appearing befcre the do(51:ors of the civil law, to leveral of whom he was known, to prove his own difhonour, — the talk of the town, — the whifpers, — the grimaces, — the ridicule, which he wasfen- fible this affair would occafion whenexpofed, — the pity of lome, — and the contempt he muif expedl from others 3 •*• all thefe things, though little re- garded Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 343- garded by him while at a diftance, now they came more near at hand, and juft ready to fall upon him, gave him fuch a fhock, as all the courage he had afTumed was not liifficient to enable him to refift. He was feized at once with a violent fit of an apoplexy at a coffee-houie, where a furgeon being immediately fent for, he was let blood, as is com-i mon in fuch cales. — This operation Ibon reco- vered him, fo far as fpeech and motion, but rea- fon had not power to reafTume her leat in his dif* ordered brain, for many hours j — he was brought home in a chair, — the furgeon attended him^-^ law him put into bed, and fat by him a conlider- able time, but fiiKling him rather worfe than better, told Mrs. Barns, he durft not proceed any further, and that they muft have recourfe to a phyiician, which was accordingly done. This gentleman, who was eileemed the moffc ftilful of his profeffion, hearing Mr. Goodman frequently cry our, * My heart ! — my heart I' laid his hand upon his bofom, and found, bv the extraordinary puliation there, that he had fvmp- toms of an inward convui(i(m, wrote a prefcripri- on, and ordered he fhould be kept extremely quiet. Towards morning he grew more compofed, and by degrees recovered the ufe of his under- ftandmg as perfeflly as ever, bur his limbs were' fo much weakened by that fevere attack the £c' had m.^de upon him, that he could not fir up in his bed without uipport.— The phyiician, how- ever, at his next vilit, had great hopes of him/ — faid his imbecility proceeded only from a fe- ver of the nerves, which he doubted not but to abite, and that he would be well m a few days* — How uncertain, --iiow little to be depended upon is art, in fome cafes ! — Mr. Goodman felt that within himlelf, which gave the lie to all ap-i pearances. 344 77^^ HISTORY of pearances, and fully convinced that the hand of death had feizcd upon his heart, would not defer- a moment putting all his affairs in fuch a pofturej as fhould leave no room for contention among the- parties concerned, after his deceafe : — he began with fending for Mr. Thoughtlels, and configned* over to him the whole fortunes of Mr. Francis^ and Mifs Betfy, the latter being firil obliged, as not being yet of age, to chufe him for her guar- dian in form. •»• Having thus acquitted himfelfjf in the moft honourable manner, of the truil re*» pofed in him, for the children of his friend, he confidered what was beft to be done, in relatiort to thofe of his own blood.— By his death, the intended procefs againft lady Mellafin would be prevented, and confequently the third part of his efifefis would devolve on her, as being the widow of a citizen j—- he, therefore, having confulted with his lawyer, if i'uch a thing were praflicable, made a ^^^^ of gift to his nephew, Mr. Edward Goodman, of all his money in the bank, ftocks, and other public funds. — After this, he made- his will, and the lawyer perceiving he had left but few legacies, afked him, how the refidueot what he^ is poflefled of fhould be difpofed 5 to which he» replied, * Greatly as 1 have been wronged by * lady Mellafin, I would not have her to ftarve :: « — I have been calculating in my mind to what * her dividend may amount, and believe it will * be fufficient to enable her to live in that retired * manner, which beft becomes her age and cha- * raaer.' Mr. Goodman, having thus fettled all his af- fairs in this world, began to make fuch prepa- tions for another, as are neceflary for the beft of men. — In the mean time, as the leaft noife was difturbing to him, it was judged proper that Mifs JBetfy, who could not live without company, ihouid Mfs Betsv ThoughtlessT '345 /hould remove. — No boarding-place to her mind being yet found, and having dune with all hopes of living with her brother, (ss fhe was by this time informed of the true reafons he had for her not doing fo,) took lodgings in Jermyn-ftreer, and finding the intere^ of her fortune,^ through >Iie good management of her late guardian, would allow it, hired a maid and foot boy to wait up^n her. The adieu fhe received from Mr. Gooihnan was the molt tender and afFedionate that could be 5— fhe was very much moved with ir, and fincerely lamented the lols (he fliould fultam of fo honeit and worthy a friend 5 but her natural iprightlinels would not fulftr any melancholly re- flections to dwell long upon her mind, and the hurry ihe was in of lending meflages to all her acquaintance, with an account of the change of her fituation, very much ccnitributed to diflipate them. — This important bufinefs was fcc»rc€ over, and Die well fettled in her new habitation, when one of Mr. Goodman's footmen brought her a letter from her brother Frank, which had bceti juft left for her by the pod. -—It contained thele lines : To Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. * My dear fijie}\ * I HAVE been fnatched from the brink of the ** •■• grave, by the (kill of one of the beft phyfici- * ans in the world, and the tender, and, I may * fay, maternal care of our moft dear, and truly * valuable friend, the excellent lady Truity. * The firfl ufe I made of my recovered health, is * to give an account of it to thofe, whom, I flat- * ter mylelf, will be obliged by the intelligence. * ——I thank you for the many kind wiAies you * have '346 Tbe HISTORY of * have fent me, during the courfe of my illncff^. *but hoped to have feen, before now, another * name fubfcribed to your letters, than that you- •received from your birth 5 and cannot help lay- * ing, I am a little furprifed, that in the two laft * you favoured me with, you have been entirely * filent on a fubjeft you know I have always had * very much at heart. — I have alfo very lately * received a letter from Mr. Trueworth, wherein * he tells me, he is going to his country feat, — r^^ * exprefTes the mofl kind concern for me, but * mentions not the leaft fyllable of you, or of his * paflion.— — I fear, my dear fifler, there is fomtr * mifunderftanding between you, which would * very much trouble me, for your fake efpccially, * but I /hall defer what I have to fay to you, till' ' I have the pleafure of feeing you.—— I am not * yet judged fit ro fit my horfe for fo long ajour- * ney, and the places in the ftage-eoaeh are aH * taken for to-morrow, but have fecured one in * Thurfday*s coach, and expecl to be with you oti * Saturday.— I accompany this to you with orre * to my brother, and another to Mr. Goodman, fo * have no occafion to trouble you with my com- * pliments to either.—— Farewell. • I think L •'need not tell you, that I am, * With an unfeigned regard, * My dear fifter, *\Your very affectionate brother, * And humble fervant, * F, Thoughtless:*' P. S. Sir Ralph and^ lady Trufty are both front home at this time, or I am certain their good wifhes, if no more, would have joined mine',, that you may never ceafe to enjoy whatever it becomes you to defire. — My dear Betfy, adieu** The Mfs Betsy Thoughtless. 347 The joy, which this letter would have afforded Mifs Betfy had been compleat, if nor Tomewhat abated by the apprehenfions of what her brother would fay to her, when he fhouid find fhe was indeed intirely broke off with Mr. Trueworth 5 but as the reader may probably defire to know ia what manner he p^ls'd his time after that event, and the motives which induced him to Hay in London, it is now highly proper to fay fbmething of both. CHAP. XLIV. 7'lje author is under feme apprehenfions^ ivill not be quire pleafing to the humour of every reader, IT is certain that Mr. Trueworth, at the time of his vvi'iting his laft letter to Mi(s Betfy, was ful- ly determined to go into the country, and was already beginning to make luch preparations, as he found neceffary for his journey, when an acci- dent of a very fingular nature put a fudden flop to them, and to his intentic/ns. He wa£ one da\ juft dreffed, and going out, in order to dine with lome company, for be now ch(»fe to be as little alone as poffible, when one of his ferv:ints delivered a letter to him, which he faid was brought by a porter, who waited below for an anfwer. — As the fuperfcription was in a woman's hmd, and he was not accutlomed to re- ceive any billets from that fex, he broke it open, wirh a kind of greedy curioiity, and found m it thefe lines ; To Charles Trueworth, Efq; /Sir, * T Am a woman of fortune, family, and an un- * * blemifhed charader, — » very young, and moft * people 54? "The HISTORY of people allow not difagreeable : — ^i you have done me the greatefl injury in the world with- out knowing it 5 biic I take you to be more a man of honour, than not to be willing to make what reparation is in your power. — If the good opinion I have of you does not deceive me, you will readily accept this challenge, and not fail to nieet me about eleven o'clock to-morrow in the morning, at General Tatton's bench, oppo- Ute Rofamond's Pond, in St. James's Park, —— there to hear fuch interrogatories as I fliall think fit to make you, and on your fincere anfwcr to which, depends the whole future peace, if not the life of her, who at prefenr, can only fub- icribe herielf, * In the greatefl confufion, * Sir, * Your unfortunate, * And impatient * Incognita.* Mr. Trueworth was a good deal furpri^ed, but had no occafion to confult long with himfelf in what manner it would become a man of hjsyeac^ to behave in fuch an adventure, and therefore faLjt down and immediately wrote an anlwer in theff terms : To the fair Incognita. < ^X^HOUGH a challenge from an unknown anr * * ragonift might be rejected without any dan- * ger of incurring the imputation of cowardife 5 * and, befides, as the combat to which I am in- * vited is to be that of words, in which your fex * are generally allowed to excel, I have not any * foit of chance for overcoming j yet to /hew that j * I dare A^ifs Betsy Thoughtless. 345 * I dare encounter a fine woman at any weapon, * and (hall not repine at being foiled, will not * fill to give you the triumph you defire, and to ' that end will wait on you exadly at the time * and place mentioned in yours, — till when you * may reft fatii-fied that I am, * With the greateft impatience, *The obliging Incognita's * Mod devoted fervanr, * C. Trueworth7 Though Mr. Truewortli had not only heard of, but alfo experienced, when on his travels abroad, fome adventures of a parallel nature with this, yet as it never had entred into his head, that the Englidi ladies took this method of introducing themfelves to the acquaintance of thofe they were pleafed to favour, the challenge of the incognita, — who (lie was,— -where (he had feen him, — what particular adion of his had merited her good graces, and a thoufand other conjei'^ures, all' rending to the fime objecl, very m.uch engroiTed l)is mind. — Indeed he was glad to jrncourage any thoughts, which ferved to drive thofe of Mifs Bcrl'y thence, whofe idea, in fpitc of all his en- deavours, and her luppo(ed unwonhinefs, wouW f*)metimes intervene, and poifon the fweets of his moll jovial moments among his frienc^s. His curiofiry, for it canm)t be faid he was as yet: inftigated by a warmer palTion, rendered him how- ever very careful not to luffer the hour mentioned in the lady's letter to elcape 5 but though he was at the place fomewhat before the time, (he was the firft, and already waited his approach.— As he turned by the corner of the pond, he beijan to reflefl, that as flie had given him no fional, whereby (lie might be known, he might poiTiblv Vot. I. K miftakc 350 "The HISTORY 5/ j milUke for his Incognita fome other, whom chance migiuhave aiieded to the bench, and was iomewhat \x d his how to accolt her, in fuch a manner, as that the compliment might not make him be looked upon as rude or mad, by a perfbn who hacl no reaion to expeflit from him. But the lady, who, it is likely, was alfo fenfi- blc ihe had been a little wanting in this part of j the aflignation, loon ealed him of the fufpence he Vvas m, by rifing from her feat, as he drew near, ' ;jnd fainting him with thefe words,— ' How per- * fe611y obliging,' faid fhe, ' is this punfluality -? * —— It almolt flatters me I fliall ha\ e no rea(bn * to repent the ftep I have taken.'——' A pt-rlbn * who is injured,' replied Mr. Trueworth, ' has * doubtlefs a right to complain j and if I have, * though never i'o unwarily, been guilty of any * wrong, cannot be too haity, nor too zealous in * the rcpararion 5— -be pleafed therefore, ma- * dam, to let me know the nature of my offence., * and be afTured, that the wiflies of iiiy whote * heart fliall be to expiate it. * In concluding thele words, one of her gloves being off, he took hold of her hand, and k\h\\ it with either a real, or a feeming warmth. — ' Take * care what you fay,' cried fhe, * left I exi^Q *. more from you, than is in your power to per- ' form 5 but let us fit down,' puriued flie, ll.flTer- ing him flill to keep her hand in his, ' and be- * gin to fulfil the promife you have made, * by fatisfying me in fome few points 1 have to alk, * with the fame fincerity as you would anlwer * heaven.' — * Be affured I will,' faid he, put- ting her hand a fecond time to his mouth, * and * this fl:iall be the book on which I will fwear to * every article.' * Firft then,' demanded (he, * Are you mar- * fied, orconfaded?* — * Neither, by all that's Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. ^51 •■ de.1r,' faid he. — * Have you no artachmenr/' relumed /he, * to any particular lady, that /hould hinder your engaging with another?'—' Not * any upon my honour,' anlwered he. I fhould before now have acquainted my read- er, that the lady was not only niafqued, buralfa clofe mufled in her hood, that Mr.Trueworth could difcover no part even of the fide of her face', which, growing weary of this examination, he took an opportunity to complain of——' Why ' this tmkind relerve, my charming Incognita V ikid he, * I have heard of penitents, who, while *" confeiTing crimes they wtre afliamed of, kept * their fices hid, but I believe there never was a * confe{r)r who concealed himfelf, — permit me ■ to r<»e to whom I am laying open my heart, and * I fhall do ir with pleafurc.' — * That cannot be,* ^nflvered (he, ' even for the vcryreafon you have * alledged ; — I have fomerhing to confeis to you, ' would fink me into the earth with /hame, did ^ you behold the mouth that utters ir. — In fine, * I love you, and after having told you fo, can ^ you expedi I will reveal mylelf * Elfe * bow can I return the bounry as I ought,' cried he, * or you be aiTured you have not l^viih.ed your ' favours on an infenfible or ungrateful heart ? * Time may do much,* faid fhe'^— ^' a longer * and more free converfation with you may per- ' haps embolden me to make a full difcovery of * my face to you, as I have already done of my * heart.*— — Mr. Trueworth then told her, that the place they were in would allow but very few freedoms, and added, that if he were reaily la happy as ih^ flattered him he was, /lie nui(t per- mit him to wait on her, where he mioht have an opportunity of teftifying the fenie he iiad of fo unhoped, and as yet fo unmerited a biefling. R z Alasl' 352 ne HISTORY of * Alas !* cried flie, * I am quite a novice in a(^ * fignarions of this fort,— I have fb entire a de- * pendance on your honour, that I date meet yoii * any where, provided you give me your folemri * promife not to take any meafiires for knowing * who I am, nor make any attempts to oblige me * to unmafk, till I have afifumed couraoe enough * to become vifible of my own free will.* Mr. Trueworih rt-adily enough gave her the promife flie exa£led from him, not at all doubt- ing but he /hould be eslily able to find means to engage her conlent for the fitisfa(5iion of his cu- fioIi.y» in thefe points. — ' Well then,' faid flie, * it belongs to you to name a place proper for *■ thcfe fecier interviews.' On this, after a little paufe, he anfwered, that fince Hie judged it inconvenient for him to wait upon her at home, or any other place where (lie was known, he would be about the clofe of day at a certain cofFee-houfe, which he named to her. — * Where,' continued he, * I will attend your * commands, and on your condefcending to flop ' at the door in a hackney coach, will immediate- * ly come forth, aiid condu<51 you to a houfe lecure * from all danger of difcovery.' — ' She hefi- tated not a moment to comply with his propolal, yet m the fame breath flie did io^ aftecled to be under lome fears, which before /he had not made the leaft fhe w of ^' laid, * /he hoped he would not abufe the confidence /he repofed in him,— that he would take no advantage of rhei weaknefs flie had fliewn, — that though /he loved him with the mofl tender paffion, and could not have live^i without revealing it to him, yet her inclinations were innocent, and pure as thofc of a veflal virgin, and a great deal more fluff of the like fort, which though Mr. Trueworth could Icarce refrain from fmiling at, yet he anfwered wit Al^ijs Betsy Thoughtless. 353 with all the ferioufnefs imaginahle, — * I /lion LI * be unworthy, madam, of the affei^Hon you ho- * nour me with,* faid he, ' were I capable ofafl- * ing towards you in any manner unbecoming of * you, or of niylelf^ and you may depend I ihall * endeavour fo regulate my delires, lu as to ren- * der them agreeable to yours.* After (bme further dilcourle of rlie like naruie, (he role up, and took her leave, infillini' at part- ing, that he fhould not attempt to follow her, or take any method to find out what way Hie went f which injun<5tion he pun^ually obeyed, not Ww^ ing from the bench, *till ihe v/as quite out oF This adventure prodigioufly amufed him ;■ never, in his whole life, had he met with any thing he knew lo little how to judge of— — -She had nothing of the air of a wornau of the town, and befides, he knew it was not the intereft of thofe wiio made a trade .uf their favours, to dil- penfe them in the manner llie fcemed to intend ^ -^ nor could he think her a perfon of the condi- tion and charaftcr her hfter intiniated. He couhl not conceive, that any of th(ire he was acquainted with, would run fuch lengths for the gratification of their pafiicn, elpecially for a man, who had not taken the ler.ft pains to infpire it. — Some- times he imagined it was a trick put upon him, in order to make trial how far his vanity would ex- tend in binllmg of it j— rt even came into his head, that Mils lietiy lierfelf might get Ibmebody to pfrlonate the amorous Incognita, for no other putpole than to divert heriejf, and difappoint his high railed expcclation ; but this lall conjec- ture dwelt not long upon him : — he had heard /lie now entertained another lover, with whom ilie was very much taken up, and; confequently, would not give herlelf io nuich trouble about R Q one. 354 "The HISTORY of one, who had entirely quitted her. In fine, he knew not what to think, as he could not tell how ro believe he had made luch an inipreiTion upon any wcman^ without knowing it, as the In- cognita prerenc^ed, he was apt to imagine he ihould neither fee nor hear any more of her.—' This uncertainry, however, emplojed his mind the whole day, and he was no lels impatient for the proof, than he would have been, if actually in love with his invifible miilrels. Ti^.e winded for hour at lali arrived, and he waited nor long before he was eafed of one part of his fnfpence, by being told, a lady in a hack- ney coach enquired for him : — he was extremely plealed to find, aujeali, he had not been impoled upon, by a trick otany of his frolicklome compa- nions, c^iid imnie(liately flew to the coach iide, where feeing it was indeed his Incognita, he jump- ed dire£l]y in, wiih a tranfport, which, doubtieis was very/ agreeable to her. Though he had often heard fome gentleman fpeak of houfes, where two per ions of difterei^t iexs might at any time be received, and have the privilege of entertaining each other with all the freedom and privacy they could defiie, yet as he had never been accuftomed to intrigues uf this nature, and thought he (liould have no cccafion to make ufe of fuch places, he had not given him- felf the trouble of afking where they might b« found, therefore had now no other relource ihan either a tavern or a bagnio, the latter of which he looked upon, for moie realons than one, as the moft commodious of the two, lo ordered the coachmam to drive to one in Silver-ftieei j«— he exculed hin^felf at the fame time to the lady, for not having been able to provide a better aiylum for her reception 5 but (he appeared ^erfedly content, — told him, fhe had put herleif under his Mifi Betsy Thoughtless. 355 his care,^- relieci upon his honour and dilcretion, — and left all to his dir€<^ion. Being come into the bagnio, they were fiiewed into a handfome large room, with a bed'-cb.am- ber within it. — Mr. Trueworrh had his r^e on every thing in an inftanr, and finding all v;ms right, ordered a f upper to be prepared, and then told the waiter, he would difpence with his atten- dance, till it was ready.— A* loon as he found hin\lelf alone with his Incognita, * Now, my an- * gel,* laid h^, embracing her, * I liave an opnor- * tnnity to thank yon for the affeftion you have * flattered me with the hopes of, but at the lame * time muft complain of !;e little proofs you give * me of it • — rhe greatelt ftranger to your liemt * would be allowed the privilege of a (alute, )ct * I am denied the pleafure uf toucliing thole dear Mips, which have denounced my happiijefs.*— •- * l^o not reproach me,' anlweied /he, ' with * denying what is not yet in my power to grjnt j. * — I cannot let you lee my face, and you h..v« * promiled nor to force me.' — * 1 have,' replied he 'y * but that promile binds me not from in- * dulging^ my impatient wilhes with things 30U * have not Itipulaied : — your neck, your breafts * are free, and thofe I will be revenged upon/— - With rhcle words he took Ibme liberties with her, which may better be conceived than defcribed j — fhe but faintly, refilled, and, perhaps, would have permuted him to take grearerthus maiVjued, but the difcovery of her fjce was what he chiefly wanted ^ ' You might, at leaft,' cried he, ' oblige * me with a touch of thofe lovely lips, 1 am * forbid to gaze upon 5- — here is a dark reccrfs,' continued he, pointing to the inner room, * will *,fave your blu/hes.'— — He then railed her from the chair, and diav.ing her gentiy towards the door, 35^ The HISTORY of door, fung, in a very harmonious voice, this flanza : ' Away with this idle, this fcrupulous fear, * For a ki(s in the dark, * Cry*d the amorous fparl:, ' There is nothing, no nothing too dear.' Having led her into the chamber, and feated her on the bed, which happened to be fo dii- poied, that no gleam of light came upon it, from the candles in the next room, — ' Now, my char- ' mer,' faid he, taking hold of her mafk, ' you * have no excufe for keeping on this inviduous ' cloud.'——' How impoflible is it,' anfwered (lie, letting it fall into his hand, * to refufe you- * any thing !' Vv'hat converfation after this pafled between them, I fhall leave to the reader's imagination, and only fay, that the voice of the Incognita be- ing more diftingui/hable by the button of her mafic being removed, Mr. Trueworth could not help thinkinj^, he had heard before accents very like ihcfe v^iih which he was new entertained, though where, or from what mouth they had proceeded, he was not able to reculle6^. This conjedure, however, rendering him more impatient than ever for the difcovery ^ he omitred noihincf in his power, either by words or acHons, to difTwade her from re-afTuming her vizard, when they fhould quit the fcene of dark- V'.^'is. — * How gladly would I comply,' cried fhe, * but that I fear- — '.' 'Fear what!' cried Mr.: Trueworth, eagerly interrupting her.'—— ' I fear * to lole you,' replied fhe, fondly embracing him • * — — my race is already but too well known to * you 5 you have often feen it, but *itt\\ it with- * out theie emotions 1 endeavour to infpire : — — * how then can I now hope ir will have the efFcfl * I wiih !' ~ Unkindly judged,' faid he, ' with ^ what Mifs Betsy Troughtless. 357 what indifTeience foever I may have regarded you, the endearing foftneis, the enchanting tranfports you have now blefled me with, would give new charms to every fearure, and mike me find perfe^ions I never law before. — — Come then,' my goddefs,' continued he, raifing her, * fhine with full liidie on me, 2nd fix me your adorer.' '■ Well,' cried fl;e, ' vo^u are not to be reliited, and I will venture.' I'hefe words brought them to th.e chamber door, and (liewed the Incognita to her amaaed gallant, to he no other th.^n Mifs Flora. — ' M:fs * flora Me 11 1 fin ! ■- ■ Good heavens!' cried he. * • ■ You fce/n furprifed and Ihock'd,' faid {\\t -. *■ * alas ! my apprehenfions were toojuil.'— • * Pardon me, madam,' anfwered he, ' I am in- * deed llirpriled, but it is through an excels of * joy 5 — could I have ever th(»ught, the favours * 1 have received were bellowed by the amiable •Mils Flora Mellafin!' It is certain, that his aftonifliment at firlt was very great 5 but recovermg himfelf from it in a fliorr time, a ihoufand paflages in Mils Flora's former behaviour towards him occuned to his re- membrance, and made hiin wonder at himfelf for not having looner found her out, in the perfon of his Incognita. —'— They pafled their time^ till the night was pr«'tty fir advances), in a man- ner very agreeable to each other, nor parted with- out reciprocal alTurance of renewing this tender io.tercourfe the next day, at the fame place,. CHAP. 358 y*^ HISTORY 0/ '\. CHAP. XLV. Grjes an account of a farther^ and more laudable motive y to induce Mr, Irue-imrth to fut cfhis intended journey into the country. THHOUGH it is impofTible for a man of fenfe * to have any real love for a woman whom he cannot efteem, yet Mr. True worth found enough in the agreeable perlbn and fprightly humour of mifs Flora, to diflipate thofe uneafy refltfiions, which, in fpite of him, had lurked in his mind, on Mils Betly's account : —the amour with this fond girl afK)rded him a pleafing amufement for a time, and, without filling his heart with a new pafTion, cleared it of thofe remains of his former one, which he had taken ib much pains to extir- pate. Whenever he thought of Mifs Betfy, as it was impoflible a young lady, he once had loved with io much rendernefs, /hould not fometimes come into his thoughts, it was only with a friendly con- cern for her imagined fall.——* It is no wonder,* would he often fuy to himfelf, * that fo young, * and lovely a creature, under the tuition of a woman of lady Mellafin's chara<51er, and "the conflant companion of one of mils Flora's dii- pofifion, endued with charms to excite the warm- ell v^ifl^es, and unprovided with fufficient arms for her defence, ihould have yielded to the temptations of an unwarrantable flame.'—- la finty he pitied her, bu.t no more. Thus entirely freed from all prepoffefHon, and his heart almoit in the fame liiuation, as before he never knew what it was to love, he was ealily perfwaded by his friends to give overall thoughts of going into the country, and ftay to partake, in a moderate way, thofe pleafures of the town, which Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 359 which the many uneafy moments he had fuftained, during his courtfhip with Mils Betfy, had kept him hitherto from havin^ any relifh for. But this il:ate of indifference lafted not long,— • an object prefented itlelf to him, infpir:nv< him with a paffion, which had fb much of reafon for its guide, as made him think u rather his glory, than his misfortune, to be a fecond time enflaved. Among all the friends and acquaintance lie had in t^'wn, there was none he more vnhied and efteemed, than -flr Bazil Loveir: > — they had been for fome time in Icparable companions • but accidents, either on the one iide (-r the other, having hindered their meeting for fevi^ral days, Mr. Trueworth went one morning to viiit him at his houfe:— 'he found him at home, but the hall fo incumbered with trunks and boxes, that tliere was fcarce a pafTige to tlie parlour door. —— * Welcome, my deir friend,' faid fir Bizil, who, having iceiw him (rom a window, run down Itairs to receive him 5 ' you find me in a flrange dif- * order here, but I have got a couple of women * out of the country, and that fex, I think, like a * general officer, can never move without a waggon * load of trumpery at their tail.' ' What, mar- * ried !' cried Mr. Trueworth. — - ' No faith,' faid the other, * but the arrival of two fillers lafl: * night from Srafi'ordlhire, gives me a forr of fpe- * cinien of the hurry I am to expect when 1 be- * come a husband.* • The hurry,' faid Mr. Trueworth, * you feeni * to cogiiplain of, muft needs be a very agreeable * one, and I heartily congratulate you upon it. — • * A fingle man, like you, makes but a very Ibli- * tary figure, in a great wild ht)ufe j — thefe la- * dies will fill the vacuum, and give a double lit'e * to your family.'——* Nay,' refumed fir Bazil, * I * /hall not have them long with me, — they Isare * London, s6o n( HISTORY 0/ * London, and never come but once in two years, * to bay cloaths, and lee faihions ^- — befides one * of them isniairicd, and the other fo fond of her * filler, that I believe (he would nor quit her to ' be a dutcnefs. Indeed it is not much to be * woiulered at, our mother dying when fhe was * very young. Hirrick, for i'o fhe is called, was * brought up under her fifler, who is eight years * older than herlelf, and they never have been * afunder two days in their lives.* -Mr. Trueworth then expatiated on the amiable- nefsofihch an harmony between perfons of the lame blood ; to which Sir B.izil replied, that it was more than ordinarily fortunate for his fiflers 5 — — ' for,' faid he, * the efder of them being * married juft befoie my mother's d^ath, my fa- * ther committed to her the care of the younger, * as file was reckoned a woman of greater pru- * dence than might b ' expedied from her }ears. — * My bj other We Hair, for that is the name ()f the * gentleman Oie married, though a very good huf- * bind iti the main, is a great fportiiiian, t:ikes * rather too much delight in his hawks and hounds, * and gives his wife but little of his company in * the day, fo that if it were not for Harriot /he * would pafs hertime uncomfortably eno-ugh. — • * In fine, the younger is improved by the Ie{T<>ns * of the elder, and the elder diverted by the * fprightlinefs and good humour of the younrrer. SirBazi), who had an extieme regard for his fifters, could not forbear entertaining Mr. True- worth oil this liiljecT: all the time he was ^lere, and at parting told him, he would not afk him to flay dinner that day, becaufe he fuppo fed they would be very bufy in unpacking their things, and letting themfelves in order, but engaged him to come on the following. Mr* Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. ^6i Mr. Trueworth thought no farther on what had pafifed, than to remember his promife, which he accordingly fulfilled. —— Sir Bnzil received hini with open arms, and contlufled him into the di- ning-room, where the two ladies were fitting :— • they were both very handfbnie :— • the elder was extremely graceful, and, at firft glance, appeared to be the moll: ftriking beauty of the two; but on a fecond, the younger had the advantage :— — fhe was not altogether lb tall as her fifter, nor had a ikin of that dazzling whitenefs, but her fhape was exquifite, — her complexion clear, — her eyes fparkling,— all her features perfe^lly regular, and accompanied with a fwecrtnels, which had in it fomewhat irrefiltably at'radlive. After the firft compliments were over, neither of them loft, by their manner of converiation, any part of that admiration which their eyes had gained. — Mrs. VVellair talked pretty much, yet lb agreeably, that no body could be tired of hear- ing her : — Mifs Harriot fpoke much leis, but all /he faid dilcovered a delicacy of fentiment, and a judgement fir above her years. — Sir Bazil had a large eftare, he jived up to the height of it, had ft very elegant tafte, a^id in complaifance to his iifters, as well as to his friend, who had never- .dined with him before iince he fet up houfe-keep- ing, and had taken care that day to omit nothing in his bill of fare, that could excite, or gratify, the moft luxurious appetite , yet it was the wit, fpirit, and good humour of the company, cfpeci- ally of mils Harriot, which, to Mr. Trueworth, made the moft agreeable part of the entertainment. When the defcrt v/as over, and the health's of dblent friends toafted in Tokiy and Frontiniab, rhey all adjourned into the drawing-room, where coffee and tea were foon after brought in 5 — MrS. Wellair having been advifed by her phyficians tb . ^ Vol. I, S refraia 362 fbe HISTORY -of tefiain the ufe of any of thefe liquors, on account of fonie (iiibrder fhe had complained of, took this opportunity of defiring leave to retire, in order to acquaint her husband, it being poft-night, with her lafe arrival in town. Agreeable as her converfation was, Mr. True- worth ffumd no mifsofher, as the lovely Harriot was left behind : — on the contrary, he was ra- ther rejoiced, in t^e hope fhe would now give her tongue a greater latitude than fi^e had done in the prelence of one, whom he eaiily perceived, Hie look-ed upon asher liiperior in underflanding, a-s well as years; and to provoke her to it, artfully introduced feme difcourfe on the pleafures of the town, and Hiid to fir Bazil, it I'eemed to him a kind of miracle, thar lb \«>ung and beautiful a la- dy, as mils Harriot, could content herfelf with the ubfcurity of a country life. * Few of her age, * indeed,' replied Sir Bazil, ' would choofe to live * in the manner flie does, but though I fhould, * perhaps, nor be of the fame way of thinking, if * I were a woman, and in her place, yet I cannot * but fay, myie^ion approves of her conduct in * this point.* 'London,' faid Pne, is a very magnificent, * opulent city, and thofe who have their lot call * to live in it, may, doubtiefs, find liifficient to * content them 5 but as for thofe amufements, * which you Fc-n^lemen call the pleafures of the * town, and whicn fb many people take every win- * ter fuch lo.jg joujrjies nuneiy to enjoy, I can fee * nothing ii; them, which a reafbnabie perlbn may * not very well difpenie with the want of.* * What think you of tiie court, madam?' cried Mr. Truewortii.- * As of a place I would al- * ways chufe to avoid,' replied Vat ; — ' I hearti- * ly pity the fatigue of thofe, who are obliged to * attend, and atii tempted to laugh at the Itupidky of Mifs Betsy THouGHTLEiss. ^6^ * of thofe, who undertake it without necefliry. — - * I am amazed to think how any one of common ' fenfe can be at fo great an expence for rich * cloaths, to go to a place where (he muft fufTer * as great pain in (hewing them. ■ Blels me ! * to (land for two or three hours together, mute as * afiih,- • upright as an arrow, and when the- * fcene isover, walk backward like a crab, curtfy- * ing at every (lep, though their legs-are \^o tired, * they are fcirce able to go through the ceremony.* * A mafquerade then,' refumed Mr. Trueworth, willing to try her farther, * what lay you, madam, * to a ma(querade ? 1 hope you will allow no 'freedom of behaviour is wanting there.* — * l * (hould like a mafquerade extremely,'^ anfwered /lie, ' if conducted in the fame manner I have *■ been told they are in Italy, and fome other places, * where only per(bns of condition are admitted, 'and none prelumes to lay that under a vizard, \ which he either would, or ou'j^ht to be afhamed * oF, when it is pluck'd ofiF; — hut the venal ones * you have here, are my utter detertation ; — they * feem to me to licence, under a (hew of innocent* * diverfion, not only folly, but all kind of pro- * phanel's, and indecency.' ' It mu(t be owned, madam, 'faidMr.Trueworth, * that your fenriments on both thefe rul)je<5ts are- * extremely juft, but you can have no fuch objec- * tion againft a play, or opera.' — ' No, fir,' an- fwered (lie, * I look iipoa a good play as one of * the mod improving, as well as agreeable enrer- * tainments, a thinking mind can take : and as * for an opera,' •' Aye fiiier,' cried Sir B.izil, interrupting her, ' the opera, take care what* * you lay of the opera^.^ — 'my friend here is a- * paflfionate lover of muiick, and if you utter one * fyliable againft his favourite fcience, you will * certainly pals in his opinion for a ftoic.*— -^ ' T S 2 n:i(uild ;64 ni HISTORY of * jhould delerve ir/ laid Hie, * and be in realify * as infeniible as that fe6i of philofophers affe<^ to * be, if 1 were not capable of being touched by * the charms of harmony.* * Then, madam,' laid Mr. Trueworth,' * there * are two (.f the plealutes of London, which are *■ lo happy to receive your approbation/.— ' Not ' only my approbation,' replied Ihe, * but my * appfaufe. «— I am, indeed, a very great ad- * mirer of both, yet can find ways to make mylelf * eafy, without being pre lent at either, and, at * the diiiance of a hundred miles, enjoy in theory * ali the iatisfaiSlion the reprelentutiun could af- * ford.' *^ This is fomewhat extraordinary, indeed, ma- * dam,' cried Mr, Trueworth ; be lo good as to * let us know by what method.'— It u this, (ir,* arilWered ihe ^ * — as for the pJays, — Ihave * a very good colled^ion of the old ones by me, * and have all the new ones lent down to me as * they come out j—— when I was laft in London, * I was feveral times at the theatre, — I oblerved * how the a6lors and a^refles varied their voices * and gellurcs, according to the different charac- * ters they appeared in on the llage 5 — and thus, * whillt I am readmg any play, am enabled to * judge pretty near how it fhews in reprefentation. * -— — I have, indeed, fbmewhat more difficulty * in bringing the opera home to me, yet I am lo * happy, as to be able to procure a fliadow of it * at ieali: 5— we have two or three gentlemen in * the neighbourhood, who play to great perfec- * tion on the violin, and feveral ladies, who have * very pretty voices, and fome {kill in mufic • — * my filter touches the bafs-viol finely, and I play ' a little on the harpfichord ^— wc have all our * parts in Icore before iis, which we execute to * the bell of our power:—— it ferves, however, *to Mifs Betsy Thoughtlf.gs. ^% * to divert ourfelves, and thofe friends who think * it worth their while to come to hear us.* Mr. Trueworth criexl our, in a kind oT rapture, as loon as flie had done fpeaking, — — ' Who ' would not think himielf happy to be one of the- * audience at fuch a performance?'' — -He was going on^ but Mrs. Weliair returned, on which he dire(5led the compriment he was about to make mifs Harriot, equally to the other j — wliich (he returned with a great deal of politenel^. The converlation afterwards turned on diffeienr fub- je£t>;, and was very entertaining j-—Iome other company coming in, Mr. Trueworth would have, taken leave, but iir Bazil would not permit him — he llayed the whole evening, and when he went home, carried with him fuch an idea of the lovely Harriot's perfe<5tions, that fcarce any conii- deration would have been powerful enough to* have made him quit the town, while flie conti- nued in it. CHAP. XLVI. Returns to mtfi "Betjys adventures^ from ivhich' the tiiX) former wsre but a dlgreffion^ though a very necejfary one^ as mclll hereafter appear. TF Mifs Betfy had been made acquainted with ■* the manner in whicn Mr. Trueworth paffed his time, and the inducements he had to Itay in Ilondon, doubtlefs her vaniry would have been highly piqued 5 but fhe had not as yet this fubjeft. for mortification 5 on the contrary, /he rather imagined he lingered here on her account, —• that he repented him of the letter he had fent. her, though his fpirit was too great to acknow- ledge it dlreeen lini/hed, * and fent home to-day:— —the ladies will teac * me to pieces about them, but I left all my bud- * neis, and run away to acquaint you with a thing * you Utile dream of.— Ah ! Mils Betfy, fuch a * fine gentleman ! — fuch a vaft eftate ! — but *tis ' no wonder,' continued /he, * you are i'o pretty, * that you make all the men die for you/ ■ * \^ har is it you are talking on ?' cried Mifs Betfy, * prithee dear Modely explain.'- ' ' Lord I' re- plied the other, ' I am i'o tranfported, that I know * not how to contain mylelf^ — • but I will tell * you, —-you were yeiterday at my houfe,* — fir ' Frederick Fineer, who lodges in my fiift f^oor, * — the iweetefl and moft generous gentleman * that ever lived, to be fare; but that is no- ' thing to the purpofe, he faw you from his * dining-room window, when yon came out of * your chair, — and, wcfuld you believe it, was * fo Mifs Betsy Thoughtl^^ss. 567- * fo flruck, that he immf»diately fell down in a * fwoon : — you were but juil gone, when his va- ' let de chambie, for he keeps three fervanrs, * two in livery, and one our, came down to me, 'and fetched me to his mailer.' — 'Oh! Mrs. * Modely,' laid he to me, * what anj^el h.ave \:hi ' got below ? — Tell me who (he is ? — • If (he is * not already married, I will give my whole eflate * to obtain her. — I afk not what her fortune is, * -r- if I could once call that divine creature my * wife, Hie fhould command all 1 am v/'>rth.* * Indeed, madam,' continued /he, ' I was fb * much amazed, that I had not the power if ' fpeaking 5 and he, I luppofe, interpretinr^ my' * filence as a refufal of anfwering his demands,. * fell into I'uch diftraffions, — fiich ravings, as * frighted me almolt out of my wits, and ar \xiS.^ * to quiet him, I told him, — I hope you will for- * give me, — your name, and where you lived, * and that you were not married:— -on this he ' Icemed pretty eai'y, and I left him 5 — but about ' two hours after, he fent for me again, — delired- * I would go diref^ly to you,— make you a decla- * ration of love in his name, and beg you to give * him leave to vific you in perl(;n.' ' Blefs me !' cried Mils Berfy,' * can the man * neither Ipeak, nor write for himfelf?' — * I * told him, madam,* refumed Mrs. Modely, ' that it would not be well taken from me 5 — but * he was quite mad, would lillen to no realbn, * 'till I bethought myfelf of a llratagem, which, I * fancy, you will not dilapprove : — I made him * believe, that there was no need of my going to * you, — that you were to call upon me abc>ut a ' gown this afternoon,— that I would perfuade * you to ftay and drink tea, and he might come in- * to the room, as if by chance, and entertain you * with what difcourfe he thought proper. — Now * I would 368 The HISTORY of I would fain have you come,* purfued /lie 5 * foe if you do but like his perlon, I'uch an offer is not ■ to be iejc6^ed.' * I do not regard the offer/ faid mifs Betfy 5 but I do not know but I may come juft to divert myfelf a little/— -'That's a dear good lady,' cried the other.— About five, I believe, will be a pro- per time.' — ''Aye thereabout,' replied niiis Bet- iy 3 ' but, dear Modely, don't let him know you have fpoke a word to me concerning him.'— 'No, . — no, laid flie, I Aiall not tell him I have Cten you.' During the whole time this woman flayed, ^jihich vias, indeed, much longer than might have been expeded, from a perfon of that extraordina- ry bufineis /he pretended, nothing was talked on but iir Frederick Fineer^ ■ — fhe told Mils Betfy, that to her certain knowledge, he was of one of the belt families in Cornwall 5 that he had a great eifate in poffeffion, and another in reverfion, and, befides, was the next of kin to a coronet 5 that he kept company with nothing but lords and dukes, and that they v;ere always courting his company. Though mils Betfy affe6led to treat all ihe. faid with indifference, yet fhe had given an attentive ear to if, and aiter fhe was gone, began to rumage over all her ornaments,' rryed one, and then a- nother, to fee which would become her beft, in order to fecure a viflory, which ihe imagined would afford i'o much triumph.* * Whether I * niarry him or not,' laid ihe to herlelf, * the ad- * dreffes of a man of his rank will make me of * f()me confideration in the world j — and if ever * I do become a wife, I fhould like to be a wo- * man of quality 5 — they may fay what they will, * but a title has prodigious charms in it^ — rhe * name of Fineer alfo becomes it j — lady Fineer's * lervants there !— lady Fineer's coach to the door, * would Mfs Betsy Thoughtless. 5^9 * would found vaftly agreeable at the play or * opera.* S\\Q alfo pleafed herfelf wirh the thought-, that being courted by a perfbn of firFrcderick's quality, and eft.'ite^would immediately put to filence all the reproaches and remonllrances fhe might othervvifc have expected to be perfecuted with,by her brother Frank, on Mr. Trucworth's account 5 ——and this imigination w.^s, of itlclf, lirfHcient to give -Iicr an infinite latisfd6lion :— — in fine, flie found fo much in this new efifefl of her charms, to elevate and delight both her vanity and convenience, that iiie longed with as much impatience for a fight of her admirer, as Mrs. Modely had told her he was under, for an interview with her. Some part of the tedious moments were, how- ever, taken up, in a manner flie was far frctm ex- peclmg : — /he was icarce rilen from her toiletre, when word was brought her, that a young lady, whocalle(^ iierielf Mils Flora Mellafin, was come to wait upon her. As fhe had never feen her fince her being driven from Mr. Goodman's, the vifit a little lurprifed her, and fhe would have been glad, if common civility had difpenfed with her receiving it j for though the pity fhe then had felt for her misfortunes, had greatly eflRiccd the me- mory of the injurious treatment fhe had met wirh from her, yet /he never defined to continue any correfpondence with her, after they were once parted : befides, as file had no reafbn to look up- on her coming as any proof of her friendfliip or good-will, but rather with a dcfign of doing her ibme private prejudice, fhe relblved to behave entirely relerved towards her. Her conjectures were not groundlefs that complication of every worll pailion that can fill the human heart, could not be perfedly fatisfied, even amidll the mofl unbounded gratification of her 370 ne HIST DRY of her amorous defires, with the man that had excited them : — the dread of lofing him embittered all the tranfports of poflcflion 5 fhe very well knew he had broke off with Mils Betfy, and doubted not but that event had happened through the arti- fice fhe had put in practice 5 yet as there was a poflibility, that the adventure of Denham fliould be unravelled, and the innocency of Mifs Betfy cleared up, fhe trembled kit fuch an ecclaircife- ment /hould renew all his former tendernefs for that once fo much loved rival, and herfelf be re- duced to all the horrors of defpair and i'hame. ^^ It was, therefore, to found the inclination of Mils Betfy, that alone brought her thither, in the wick- ed hope, that if there was the leafl: probability of a reconciliation between them, fhe might find fome opportunity of travelling all the fteps that might be taken by either party for that purpufe. But Mifs Betfy was too much upon her guard, to give her any room to difcover what her fenti- inents were in tha-t poinf : — ^^—jhe received her very coolly, and even on her firft entrance told her, that fhe was obliged to go out that evening 5 but the other taking no notice of the little plea- fure Mifs Betfy expreffed on feeing her, told her, /he came out of friendship to vifir her;—- that file had been told Mr. Trueworth and (he were entirely parted, — that if fhe had fo great an affeilion for him, as the world had been plea fed to fay, fhe nuirt certainly (land in need of ail the conlbl::rif>n conld be given her : — ' but, I hope, * my dear,' laid (lie, * you have too much good * fenfe, not to defpiie him now. Nothing is more * common than that men fhould be falle. — Re- ' member what the poet fays: * Ingratitude's the fin, which, firft or lafl, *- Taints the whole lex j. the catching court- diieafe.' Mifs Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 371 Mifs Betiy was fo provoked at being talked to in this manner, that ilie replied, That there was neither falfhood nor ingratitude in the cale ;— — if Mf. Trueworth had de(i(led his vifirs, it was only becaufe he was convincc^d /be deiired not the continuance of them. 'Tis poffible the(e words were more galling to the jealous heart of Mifs Flora, than any thing (he could have faid, though fhe (poke them witK no orher intent, than to clear herfelfof the im- pucaiion of having been forfaken ^ — a thinr^ fhe looked upon as the worfl: bleniifh that C(vuld be cafl upon her reparation. —• Mils Flr)ra finding no more was to be got out of her, took her leave for this time, relblvmg, however, in her own mind, to keep up an acqu.iinfance with her ; that fecm- ing, to her, the moft likely way, both to fatisfy her curioiity, and prevent any effort of what the extravagance of her paflion made her appre- hend. Mifs Betly did not give herfelf much trouble in refle6ting on what Mifs Flora had laid, but as foon as her w^^tch reminded her of the appointed hour, Hie bid her footman fiy and get a chair : — on her coming to the houfe, Mrs. Modely herfelf opened the door at the firft rap, and defired her to walk in. ' No, — no,* faid Mifs Betfy, ilill fitting in the chair, * I cannot ftay, — I only call- * ed to tell you, that I will have the fi Iver robings * put upon the gxttn night-gown, and will buy a ,* new trimming tor the pinkV 1 /hall be fure * to obey your orders, madam,' replied the other 5 * but I niuft intreat you will do me the honour to * come in, and drink a difh of tea, — the kettle * boils, and I have juft now had a prefent of a ca- * nifter of fome of the finell hyfon in the world.* — 'Imuft kave you then as foon as I have ' taited it/ faid Mifs Betiy, coming out of the chair, 378 - r/^# H I S T O R Y of (cbair, * fori have twenty vifits to make thiseven- She had not been three minutes in the parlour, when the perlbn, for whom all this ceremony was afie<5ied, enrered the room m Ibmevvhat of an abrupt manner, — * I come, Mrs. Modely, to conr^plain,' faid he 5 — * my lervanis tell me.' —— With thefe words he flopped fhort, and fixed his ejes full on mils Betfy, with a kind of aftoni/h- mcnt. — Mrs. Modely pretending to be in a great fright, cried, * For heaven's fake, fir Frederick, * what is the matter ? — I hope nothing in my * houie has given your honour any caufe of com- * plaint?' — * No, no, 'tis over now,' cried he, * your houfe is become a temple, and this is me * divinity that honours it with her prefence 5 — * this Grecian Venus,' — Mifs Betfy was too much acculiomed to company to be eafily abafhed, and anfwered brilkly, * if you mean the compli- * ment to me, fir, the Grecian Venus's are all ' painted far, and I have no refemblance of that * perfection.' — ' Only in your face, madam,' * returned he,- — fuch fparkiing eyes, — fuch a * complexion, — fuch a mouth , — in your fnapc * you are a Helen of Troy.' — ' That Flelen of * Troy,' faid Mifs Betfy, wiih an ironical Imile, * I think was a Gtcccian princeis, and mull alfo * be fat, or fhe would not have been reputed a ' beauty there.' The baronet finding by this, he had been guilty of an abfurdity, when he intended a fine I'peech, thought to falve up the matter by faying, * Sure ' yoiT are Diana then.' — * Worle and worfe,' cried Mifs Betfy 5 — *l befeech you, fir,' com- * pare me to no fuch boillerous goddefs, that runs * up and down, bare footed and baie Icg'd, hunt- * ing wild boars in the forefl !' — ' What (hall I * caH you then,' refumed he ? — * O ! tell me by • what Mifs Betsy Thoughtless. 3'2j * what name you wili be worfhipped ?' — ' Tiie * lady's name, fir Frederick,' cried Mrs. Modely haftily, *is Mils Betl> ThoughtlefV'— » Jierly/ faid he ? * then Betfy let it be.-— iietfy (lull * henceforth become more famous than Cytherea * was of old.' He was goins^ on with this fuJlome fluffy in which he wis often expoled by the ready wit of Wifs Betfy, when a maid belonging to the houfe came in, and told her that a genriemin in a hack- ney coach was at the door, and defired to f'peak with her. -^ ' With me !' — cried fhe, not able to guefs who fliould have followed her thero, * pray * call my footman, and bid him afk the perlon's ' name that enquues for me.' — The maid did as fhe was ordered, and Mifs Betfy 's fervant pre- lently after brought her this intelligence, — ' Mr, * Munden, madam,' faid he, * not finding you at * home, has taken the liberty to call on you here, * in order to condu61 you where you are to pals * the evening.' — * He mufl be a happy man, in- * deed, dare take fuch liberties,' cried fir Frede- rick, fomewhat fiercely. — * Many take more * than they are allowed to do,' faid Mifs Betfy. •— * Go,' continued fhe, * to the fellow, and * tell him, my mind is changed, — that 1 cannot * leave the company I am with, and will not go/ — Mr. Munden having received this meflGige, ordered the coachmun to drive away, very niucli diflatisfied, as the reader may eafily fuppole Mifs Betfy, the day before, had agreed to pais this evening with the ladies at St. James's, and fome others, to play at cominerce, a game then very much in vogue ^ Mr. Munden was to be one of the company, and calling at Mils Betly's lodgings, in hoj)es of having fome time with her before this meeting, the maid, who had not lived long enough with her miilreis to know her hu- Vol. I. T mour^ 374 fl>i HISTORY, f^^: moiir, prelently told him, fhe was only gone to lier manrua- mailer's, and gave him diredions to the houlej he alfo thinking it no indecorum to call on her at the houfe of a woman of that pro- feffion, had reafon enough to be mortified at the rebuff he met with for io doing. As to Mifs Berfy, though (he was a little angry at the freedom Mr. Munden had taken, yet /he was in reality much more plcafed^ — and this for two reafons ; — firft, becaufe fhe law it gave her new lover feme jealous apprehenfions 5 and, fecondly, becaufe it furnifhed her wifh a plaufible pretence for complying with his entreat- ies to flay, which Oie protefted, Ihe would not on any terms have been prevailed upon to do, but to prevent either him, or Mrs. Modely, from fuf- peding ihe would go where Mr. Munden had deiired. Mrs. Modely went out of the room feveral timts, as if called away by fome houfliold affairs, that fir Fredericic might have an opportunity of declaring his paffion to Mifs Betfy, which he did in much the fame rodomontade (train, with which he had at firft accofted her. — A handfome fiipper was ferved in, after which, fhe being about to take her leave, he affeded to be in a great fret, that a fine new chariot which, he faid, he had befpoke, was not come home, that he might have feen her fafe to her lodgings, with an equipage fuirable to her merit, and the admiration ne had of it :— he would needs, however, attend her in another chair 5 which piece of galk-inrry, after a few faint rcfuials, fhe accepted. End of tte First Volvme- r^R I c»tt- dJi