 that so I might pass undiscovered.
    This stratagem succeeded according to my wish; I ran up stairs, in a state
of trepidation, to my faithful lover, who called an hackney-coach, in which we
went to church and were married.
    His fears were then all over, but mine recurred with double aggravation: I
dreaded the sight of my father, and shared all the sorrow he suffered on account
of my undutiful behaviour: for I loved him with such piety of affection, that I
would have endured every other species of distress, rather than have given him
the least uneasiness: but love (where he reigns in full empire) is altogether
irresistible, surmounts every difficulty, and swallows up all other
considerations. This was the case with me; and now the irrevocable step was
taken, my first care was to avoid his sight. With this view, I begged that lord
W--m would think of some remote place in the country, to which we might retire
for the present; and he forthwith conducted me to an house on Blackheath, where
we were very civilly received by a laughter-loving dame, who seemed to mistake
me for one of her own sisterhood.
    I no sooner perceived her opinion, than I desired lord W--m to undeceive
her; upon which she was made acquainted with the predicament in which I stood,
and shewed us into a private room, where I called for pen and paper, and wrote
an apology to my father, for having acted contrary to his will, in so important
a concern.
    This task being performed, the bridegroom gave me to understand, that there
was a necessity for our being bedded immediately, in order to render the
marriage binding, lest my father should discover and part us before
consummation. I pleaded hard for a respite till the evening, objecting to the
indecency of going to bed before noon; but he found means to invalidate all my
arguments, and to convince me, that it was now my duty to obey. Rather than
hazard the imputation of being obstinate and refractory on the first day of my
probation, I suffered myself to be led into a chamber, which was darkened by my
express stipulation, that my shame and confusion might be the better concealed,
and yielded to the privilege of a dear husband, who loved me to adoration.
    About five o'clock in the afternoon we were called to dinner, which we had
ordered to be ready at four; but such a paultry care had been forgot, amidst the
transports of our mutual bliss. We got up, however, and when
