. This generous Fleming set
out with me, in the night, from Brussels, and conducted me to the frontiers of
France. Being very much indisposed both in mind and body when I was obliged to
undertake this expedition, I should, in all probability, have sunk under the
fatigue of travelling, had not my spirits been kept up by the conversation of my
companion, who was a man of business and consequence, and undertook to manage my
affairs in such a manner as would enable me to re-establish my residence in the
place I had left. He was young and active, attended me with the utmost care and
assiduity, and left nothing undone which he thought would contribute to my ease
and satisfaction. I believe his friendship for me was a little tinctured with
another passion; but he was married, and lived very well with his wife, who was
also my friend; so that he knew I would never think of him in the light of a
lover.
    Upon our arrival at Valenciennes, he accommodated me with a little money
(for a little was all I would take) and returned to his own city, after we had
settled a correspondence by letters. I was detained a day or two in this place
by my indisposition, which increased; but nevertheless proceeded to Paris, to
make interest for a protection from the king of France, which that monarch
graciously accorded me, in three days after my first application; and his
minister sent orders to all the governors and intendants of the province towns,
to protect me against the efforts of lord --, in whatever place I should choose
to reside.
    Having returned my thanks at Versailles for this favour, and tarried a few
days at Paris, which was a place altogether unsuitable to the low ebb of my
fortune, I repaired to Lisle, where I intended to fix my habitation; and there
my disorder recurred with such violence, that I was obliged to send for a
physician, who seemed to have been a disciple of Sangrado; for he scarce left a
drop of blood in my body, and yet I found myself never a whit the better. Indeed
I was so much exhausted by these evacuations, and my constitution so much
impaired by fatigue and perturbation of mind, that I had no other hope of
recovering but that of reaching England, and putting myself under the direction
of a physician on whose ability I could depend.
    With this doubtful prospect, therefore, I determined to attempt a return to
my native air, and actually departed from Lisle, in such a melancholy enfeebled
condition, that I had almost fainted when
