 had or might obtain from my husband. The
same allowance had I prevailed upon lord B-- to grant to another maid, who
attended me while I lived in his house.
    I did not much relish the people in Holland, because they seemed entirely
devoted to self-interest, without any taste for pleasure or politeness; a
species of disposition that could not be very agreeable to me, who always
despised money, had an unbounded benevolence of heart, and loved pleasure beyond
every other consideration. When I say pleasure, I would not be understood to
mean sensuality, which constitutes the supreme happiness of those only, who are
void of sentiment and imagination. Nevertheless, I received some civilities in
this place; and among the rest, the reputation of having for my lover the king
of P--'s minister, who was young and airy, and visited me often; circumstances
that were sufficient to lay me under the imputation of an amour, which I
frequently incurred, without having given the least cause of suspicion.
    Having taken leave of my Dutch friends, I departed from the Hague, in
company with an Englishwoman, whom I had chose for that purpose, and arrived at
Antwerp, with much difficulty and danger, the highway being infested with
robbers. After having reposed myself a few days in this city, I hired a coach
for myself, and set out, with my companion, for Brussels; but, before we reached
Mechlin, our vehicle was attacked by two hussars, who, with their sabres drawn,
obliged the coachman to drive into a wood near the road. I at first imagined
they wanted to examine our passports, but was soon too well convinced of their
design; and though very much shocked at the discovery, found resolution enough
to suppress my concern, so that it should not aggravate the terrors of the young
woman, who had almost died with apprehension. I even encouraged her to hope for
the best; and addressing myself to the robbers in French, begg'd in the most
suppliant manner, that they would spare our lives; upon which, one of them, who
was a little fellow, assured me in the same language, that we had nothing to
fear for our persons.
    When we were conveyed in a state of dreadful suspence about three quarters
of a mile into the wood, the ruffians came into the coach, and taking my keys,
which I kept ready in my hand for them, opened three large trunks, that
contained my baggage, and emptying them of every thing but my hoops and a few
books, packed up their booty
