 Mr.
Meekly
and my Son here, and have been burning to learn the Whole, but dreaded to ask you that Favour, lest the Recollection of some Passages should give You Distress. I refuse no Pain to do you a Pleasure, my Brother.
Here, the honourable Mr.
Clinton
began his Story, as formerly recited, and that Night sent his Auditors weeping to Bed.
On the following Morning, when he came to that Part of his Narrative where Lady
Maitland
broke away, he proceeded as followeth.
Having travelled through several Parts of
France
and
Italy,
I took
Germany
in my Tour. I staid some time at
Spa
where I drank the Waters, and within the Year arrived, in perfect Health, at
Rotterdam.
On a Visit to Mr.
De Wit,
at his Villa near the City, he told me, over our Bottle, that he had, at that Time, in his House and in his Guardianship, one of the most extraordinary Women in the Universe. Though she is now, says he, advancing toward the Decline of Life, she is by far the most finished Female I ever beheld, while all she says, and all she does, give a Grace to her Person that is quite indescribable. She has a Youth too, her Son, with her, who is nearly as great a Rarity as herself; and, were it not that his Complexion is sallow, and that he is something short of a Leg, and Blind of one Eye, he would positively be the most lovely of all the human Species.
You put me in mind, said I laughing, of the
Barratarian
Wench, who was commended, to Governor
Sancho,
as the most accomplished Beauty within a League, with this Exception only, that one Eye was blind, and that the Other ran with Brimstone and Vermilion. But pray who are these Wonders?
That, said he, I either cannot or must not declare. They are evidently People of the first Fashion, and must have some uncommon Reasons for their present Conduct, as they live quite retired and admit of no Company.
I protest, said I, you have raised my Curiosity in Earnest; is there no managing so as to procure me a short
tete a tEte
with 'em? I wish there was, says he, for I long to know how far your Sentiments agree with mine in this Matter. Yesterday the Lady told me that she intended to go and reside some Time in
England,
and that I would oblige her by getting a Person, duly qualified, to initiate her and her Son in the
