; yet in these Vehicles which are called, for
Distinction-sake, Gentlemen's Coaches, tho' they are often larger than the
others, this Method of packing is never attempted.
    His Lordship would have put a short End to the Difficulty, by very gallantly
desiring to mount his Horse; but Mrs. Fitzpatrick would by no Means consent to
it. It was therefore concluded that the Abigails should by Turns relieve each
other on one of his Lordship's Horses, which was presently equipped with a
Side-Saddle for that Purpose.
    Every thing being settled at the Inn, the Ladies discharged their former
Guides, and Sophia made a present to the Landlord, partly to repair the Bruise
which he had received under herself, and partly on Account of what he had
suffered under the Hands of her enraged Waiting-woman. And now Sophia first
discovered a Loss which gave her some Uneasiness; and this was of the hundred
Pound Bank Bill which her Father had given her at their last Meeting; and which,
within a very inconsiderable Trifle, was all the Treasure she was at present
worth. She searched every where, and shook and tumbled all her Things to no
Purpose, the Bill was not to be found: And she was at last fully persuaded that
she had lost it from her Pocket when she had the Misfortune of tumbling from her
Horse in the dark Lane, as before recorded. A Fact that seemed the more
probable, as she now recollected some Discomposure in her Pockets which had
happened at that Time, and the great Difficulty with which she had drawn forth
her Handkerchief the very Instant before her Fall, in order to relieve the
Distress of Mrs. Fitzpatrick.
    Misfortunes of this Kind, whatever Inconveniencies they may be attended
with, are incapable of subduing a Mind in which there is any Strength, without
the Assistance of Avarice. Sophia therefore, tho' nothing could be worse timed
than this Accident, at such a Season, immediately got the better of her Concern,
and with her wonted Serenity and Cheerfulness of Countenance, returned to her
Company. His Lordship conducted the Ladies into the Vehicle, as he did likewise
Mrs. Honour, who, after many Civilities, and more Dear Madams, at last yielded
to the well-bred Importunities of her Sister Abigail, and submitted to be
complimented with the first Ride in the Coach; in which indeed she would
afterwards have been contented to have pursued her whole Journey, had not her
Mistress, after several fruitless Intimations, at length forced her to take her
Turn on Horseback.
    The Coach now having received its Company, began to
