 withinside, to guard me from the
danger of such assaults for the future. My lord, true to his promise, marched
back with his auxiliaries, reinforced with a constable, and repeated his demand
of being admitted; and my soldier opening the sash, in order to answer him
according to my directions, he no sooner perceived the red coat, than he was
seized with such a pannic, that he instantly fled with great precipitation; and
when he recounted the adventure, like Falstaff in the play, multiplied my guard
into a whole file of musqueteers. He also made shift to discover the gentleman,
who had been so kind as to lend me one of his company, and complained of him to
the duke of N--, in hopes of seeing him broke for this misdemeanour; but in that
expectation he was luckily disappointed.
    Perceiving that in England I should never enjoy peace, but be continually
subject to those alarms and disquiets which had already impaired my health and
spirits, I resolved to repair again to France, my best refuge and sure retreat
from the persecution of my tyrant. Yet, before I took this step, I endeavoured,
by the advice of my friends, to conceal myself near Windsor; but was in a little
time discovered by my lord, and hunted out of my lurking place, accordingly. I
then removed to Chelsea, where I suffered inconceivable uneasiness and agitation
of mind, from the nature of my situation, my tranquillity being thus incessantly
invaded by a man who could not be satisfied with me, and yet could not live
without me: so that, though I was very much indisposed, I set out for France, by
the way of the Hague, as the war had shut up all other communication, having no
other attendant but my woman S-r, who, though she dreaded the sea, and was upon
the brink of matrimony, would not quit me in such a calamitous condition, until
I was joined by my footman and other maid, whom I ordered to follow me with the
baggage. But, before my departure, I sent a message to lord --, demanding my
cloaths, which he had seized in Essex; and he refusing to deliver them, I was
obliged to equip myself anew, upon credit.
    I was supplied with money for my journey by my good friend L--; and after a
short and pleasant passage, arrived at the Hague, where I stayed two months, and
parted with S--r, on whom I settled an annuity of five and twenty pounds,
payable out of the provision which I
