, who compelled him to a match his soul abhorred, and comfort
myself with the expectation of seeing him before the thing should be brought to
any terms of agreement. - But how vain was my imagination? The villain left me
without remorse, and in a few days the news of his marriage spread all over the
country. - My horror was then inconceivable! and had not the desire of revenge
diverted the resolution, I should infallibly have put an end to my miserable
life. - My father observed the symptoms of my despair; and though I have good
reason to believe, he guessed the cause, was at a great deal of pains to seem
ignorant of my affliction, while he endeavoured with paternal fondness to
alleviate my distress. I saw his concern, which increased my anguish, and raised
my fury against the author of my calamity, to an implacable degree. Having
furnished myself with a little money, I made an elopement from this unhappy
parent in the night-time, and about break of day, arrived at a small town from
whence a stage-coach set out for London, in which I embarked, and next day
alighted in town; the spirit of revenge having supported me all the way against
every other reflection. - My first care was to hire a lodging, in which I kept
myself very retired, having assumed a feigned name, that my character and
situation might be the better concealed. - It was not long before I found out
the house of my ravisher, whither I immediately repaired in a transport of rage,
determined to act some desperate deed for the satisfaction of my despair, though
the hurry of my spirits would not permit me to concert or resolve upon a
particular plan. When I demanded admission to Lothario (so let me call him) I
was desired to send up my name and business; but this I refused, telling the
porter I had business for his master's private ear: Upon which I was conducted
into a parlour until he should be informed of my request. - There I remained
about a quarter of an hour, when a servant entered and told me his master was
engaged with company, and begged to be excused at that time. - My temper could
hold out no longer: I pulled a poignard from my bosom where I had concealed it,
and rushing out, flew up stairs like a fury, exclaiming, »Where is this
perfidious villain! could I once plunge this dagger into his false heart, I
would then die satisfied.« - The noise I made alarmed not only the servants, but
the company also
