viewed as a proof of politeness-a becoming homage paid to her charms; and, at the worst, a proposal to be forgiven, though rejected; that she herself happened to be of a different opinion from that imputed to her countrywomen; she could readily excuse me, however, for not knowing her particular way of thinking. But as I had now performed, with all due decorum, the ceremonial which I might suppose French etiquette exacted, she hoped that every thing of the same nature would be dispensed with in future, that she might have the happiness of continuing to view me in the light of a genuine friend, to whom she owed everlasting esteem and gratitude.'

This she pronounced in a tone partly jocular and partly serious, but entirely engaging.

I could not help thinking, on the whole, however, that this friendly species of defence was preparatory to a graceful surrender.-I could not conceive that a gay French woman, bred amidst the gallantries of Paris and Versailles, would think a combat à mort absolutely necessary on the present occasion; but I saw that it was highly incumbent to proceed with all possible address and spirit. I accordingly brought my whole eloquence into play, aided by that degree of action which I thought most likely to give it effect: she evidently showed a reluctance to quarrel with me about trifles. I flattered myself that victory was at no great distance; when she suddenly rose, and said, with earnestness, and some share of severity, that she must withdraw. When I attempted to remonstrate against it, she repeated, with an air of great firmness, You must not oppose my withdrawing: but I will meet you again to-morrow, and without any witness.' Seeing that she was determined, I did not think it prudent to insist farther, I only said, Or this evening.''No, not this evening,' said she; I am somewhat indisposed. Indisposed!' cried I, with an alarmed voice- Are you unwell ?'

'It is not much,' said she: I will assuredly meet alone to-morrow.'

you

I did not well know what construction to put on her

conduct: I should have been still more concerned at the thoughts of her being suddenly seized with some bodily indisposition, if I had remarked any of that languor in her countenance which attends such illness; but I never saw her look with greater firmness and animation than when she left me. In the evening I had some conversation with the maid, who, I observed, sat not, as usual. in the room with her mistress, but in one adjoining. I asked if the lady was indisposed and gone to bed? She answered, that she rather thought that something had vexed la marquise, because she had not even reclined on the bed, as was her custom during any slight indisposition, but seemed uncommonly thoughtful, and expressed a wish to be alone.'

You shall have the sequel in my next. Yours ever,

J. MORDAUNT

LETTER XXIX.

The Same in Continuation.

Frankforts

THE following morning, a little before our usual hour of breakfasting, the marchioness sent me word that she was inclined to breakfast in her bed-chamber, but that she would meet me an hour after in the parlour. I was there considerably before that time was expired: she entered the room about the hour appointed. There was a solemnity in her manner that I had never observed before. To the usual inquiries she answered only by bowing her head. She then expressed a desire to be allowed to speak, without interruption, until she had finished all she wished to say. I promised to be silent; and she expressed herself in the following terms.

• Independent of the important obligations which I lie under to you, for which I shall ever feel the highest gratitude, I have observed qualities in you, sir, which must command the esteem of every one, and might win the affeetion of any woman whose heart was disengaged.

Though I did not think myself at liberty to acquaint you with all the particulars of my story, I did inform you, that I was a woman of family, a married woman, and I never gave you reason to believe that I was not a virtuous one. I was willing to impute your addresses yesterday to the general impression which, I have been told, prevails in your country respecting gallantry in France. I endeavoured to convince you of your mistake; notwithstanding which your behaviour was such as no modest woman could permit, and as would have prevented me from ever desiring again to see any other man who had behaved in the same manner. To you, sir, I wished to explain myself farther, because I freely acknowledge that it would be most painful to me to withdraw my esteem and friendship from one who has laid me under such weighty obligations.

• Be assured that you are in an error with regard to the ladies of my country. Though endowed with more vivacity than some of their neighbours, they equally know to distinguish gaiety from vice. I myself was educated in virtuous principles, under the eye of the best and most amiable of her sex.-O! my beloved, my lamented mother, never shall the maxims which you taught and practised be erased from the memory of your unhappy daughter !'

Here her voice failed; she burst into tears, and she continued sobbing for a considerable time. I was as unable to speak as she was. Having dried up her tears, with an air of dignified composure, she resumed,—‹ I have to inform you, sir, that I am not only a married woman, but the wife of a man of honour; a man whom I always esteemed and loved, and whose misfortunes render him dearer to me than ever; one who, in the days of our prosperity, returned my love with equal affection, and has ever honoured me with his entire confidence. At this moment, sir, he is fully informed of my escape from Vevay by your means; that I have travelled and lodged at inns with you: : I have even described you to him with

· VOL. VII.

L

the partiality which is natural for a grateful heart to feel for a benefactor, yet I am confident that he does not harbour one sentiment of jealousy. Even a woman who had little regard for the virtue of chastity would be shocked at the idea of being unfaithful to such a man; and were I capable of such wickedness the whole world would detest me-you yourself would despise me. But if I could be made certain of the world's remaining in ignorance, and of your continued regard, still I should be odious in my own eyes. The service you rendered me would appear to me a curse instead of a benefit, because, in rescuing me from oppression, it had led to my seduction into

vice.'

Here she paused. She seemed greatly disturbed. As for me I was quite confounded. I did not see the objects before my eyes distinctly-they seemed to move in a circle. I had experienced something of the same kind, during two or three seconds, after receiving a blow on the head, in a skirmish near Mantua. The difference was, that after the confusion occasioned by the blow, no sense of shame took place; whereas I never was so completely out of countenance in my life as in the present instance; I had neither power nor inclination to interrupt her silence. She herself resumed.

I am duly sensible, sir, of what I owe you-I shall be ever grateful: but, after what passed yesterday, we must separate-I can no longer remain in your company. I intended, as you know, to pass over to England; I retain the same design still; but I shall remain at this place until I hear of your arrival at Hamburg, and of your having sailed from thence.'

I could be silent no longer.-I began by expressing sorrow for having offended her-I declared it should be the last time. The embarrassment that must have been evident in my apology had a more powerful effect, perhaps, than if it had been better arranged and more eloquent. She saw that I was sincere. I desired, with earnestness, that I might have the honour of accompanying her to England. When I had prevailed on her to agree

to this, I said, that if she had any scruples at my pro ceeding with her to London, that I should leave her be fore she entered it, and call on her the day after to assist in directing her to proper lodgings, and in whatever else I could be of use; and it needed not appear that I had accompanied her during any part of the journey.'

She replied, that it certainly was of importance not only to be innocent, but also to appear so; that the one, however, was infinitely of more importance than the o ther; that the first also was in every one's power, where. as the second was not; that she was aware that her journey from Vevay to London, in the company of a man of my appearance, would expose her to the attacks of malignity; but that having already informed her husband of it, she was indifferent who else knew it; that she had some acquaintance in London, among whom there were several natives of her own country; but that the person on whose protection she chiefly relied was an English lady, one of the worthiest of her sex, who had been the friend of her mother; that her first care, after she should arrive in London, would be to wait on her; and that she would be directed by her advice in subsequent measures.'

Being unwilling that my brother should hear that I had come over in company with a foreign lady, before I should have an opportunity of explaining the matter to him, I expressed a wish that she would not mention my name to any of her English acquaintance.

To this she assented.

I then hinted, that London was so vast a city, that she might, perhaps, have a difficulty in finding the lady." To this she said, that the lady in question was of a rank in life that precluded any difficulty of that nature.' I own I had some curiosity to know who this wo man is; but she declined naming her, and I thought it would be unbecoming to put a single question on the subject,

Now, Sommers, I am persuaded that the issue of this business is very different from what you expected. My