A Dialogue between the Rivals.

66

detected the young lovers in close conference at the street-door. He asked the young gentleman what brought him there? Your housemaid, Sir, Patty Harris," replied Mr. Meadowes. “Pray, Sir," said the master," what are your intentions?"-Nothing less than honourable marriage, Sir !"-" Have you your father's consent?"-" That, Sir, does not concern you!"-and the gentlemen parted in high dudgeon.

The master called his servant into his little favourite retired parlour. "Patty," said he, "you are a good girl; 1 will always be your friend; I will make your fortune; have nothing more to say to that young rake. Do you imagine his father will ever consent to his marriage with you? His father, child, is one of the wealthiest country gentlemen in England; no, my sweet Patty, you shall no longer work; but promise me, faithfully, to have done with that coxcomb.'

Fortitude, and deserved Reproof.

"Sir," said she, do not imagine I will ever accept of any protection or favour from you, a married man, the husband of a mistress, who has, in many instances, been extremely kind to me. If Mr. Meadowes' father will not pardon his marrying me, his profession in the law will help to support us, and it is impossi ble I can work harder than I do at present. If you continue to hold the discourse with me which you have begun this night, and which you have before aimed at, I shall think it my duty to ac-. quaint my mistress with the whole of your conduct towards me."

Her master now thought it time to suffer his captive to escape, and leave the obstinate girl to her fate: she had, that night, conquered all her timidity; her lover had just prevailed upon her to allow their names to be called in church: as Patty was under age, and his father's acquaintance lying very much among

The Bans are published.

the Doctors of the Commons, he foresaw all the difficulty of procuring a license, without much investigation, and he thought it better to marry without his father's consent, than against it; for the old gentleman, so indulgent to his only son, and so liberal in pecuniary allowances, had very high 'prospects for him in a matrimonial alliance, and would not be easily coaxed to pardon a step, which brought into his family the daughter of a conntry shop-keeper, and the housemaid of a London Merchant.

It was necessary Patty should quit her place, and take lodgings in the parish of that church in which their bans were published; she accordingly wrote to her mother; who came immediately to town, rejoicing in the happiness of her daughter, trusting that parental anger would soon blow over, and that her child would be welcomed to affluence and elegance. As soon as they were married

Mrs. Meadowes's Character.

she returned to her business in the country, after receiving a present of a few guineas from her son-in-law; but we believe it was all he could afford to give her, for his bills on his father had been immense and frequent, to defray the expences of his wedding, and clothe his beloved girl as became the wife of a man of fashion and fortune; her new dignity did not sit awkwardly upon her; her father had given her that education which the best school in the country could afford, for a poor man! he never thought his daughter would be obliged to go out to service; she had a large share of natural understanding and refined sense; a taste for drawing had been cultivated by a master, who used to attend and give lessons about the country, and who, owing her father money, was very ready to teach so apt and fair a pupil to cancel his debt she had a sweet natural voice in singing, and her loving husband instantly procured a master, who was to be

VOL. I.

The remaining Stigma of Servitude.

indefatigable in his attendance, and give lessons, for which he was to be paid hisown price, to teach her the Spanish guitar. She was so very quick, and had so fine an ear, that she was able, in a very short time, to play twenty new songs, which she would accompany with the sweet wild notes of her voice; so that young Meadowes flattered himself, he should present a bride somewhat accomplished to his father and sisters: true it was, the redness of her hands and arms, occasioned by hard work, was a long time wearing off; though every possible remedy was used; such as Lily paste, Almond paste, and Bandana soap : she wore very long sleeves, and her hands were always enveloped in gloves, except when the constant music-master attended.

Young Meadowes now drew a bill on his father for the sum of five hundred pounds; intending to discharge his lodg ings, and carry his bride down to the pa