 when I
received another letter from lord B-, beseeching me to meet him at Clermont,
upon the road from Calais; and conjuring me to avoid the sight of his rival,
should he get the start of him in travelling. This, however, was not likely to
be the case, as lord B- rode post, and the other was, by his corpulence, obliged
to travel in a chaise; yet, that I might not increase his anxiety, I left Paris
immediately on the receit of his message, and met him at the appointed place,
where he received me with all the agitation of joy and fear, and asked if I had
ever encouraged Sir T- A- in his addresses. I very candidly told him the whole
transaction, at which he was incensed; but his indignation was soon appeased,
when I professed my penitence, and assured him, that I had totally rejected his
rival. Not that I approve of my behaviour to Sir T- who (I own) was ill used in
this affair; but surely it was more excusable to halt here, than proceed farther
in my indiscretion.
    My lover being satisfied with my declaration, we went together to Paris,
being attended by the Scotchman whom I have already mentioned, tho' I believe he
was not over and above well pleased to see matters thus amicably compromised.
The furious knight followed us to the capital; insisted upon seeing me in
person; told this North Briton, that I was actually engaged to him; wrote every
hour, and railed at my perfidious conduct. I took no notice of these delirious
transports, which were also disregarded by lord B-, till one night he was
exasperated by the insinuations of Mr. C-, who, I believe, inflamed his
jealousy, by hinting a suspicion that I was really in love with his rival. What
passed betwixt them I know not, but he sent for me from the opera, by a
physician of Paris, who was a sort of go-between among us all, and who told me,
that if I did not come home on the instant, a duel would be fought on my
account.
    I was very much shocked at this information; but by being used to alarms
from the behaviour of lord -, I had acquired a pretty good share of resolution,
and with great composure entered the room where lord B- was, with his companion,
whom I immediately ordered to withdraw. I then gave his lordship to understand,
that I was informed of what had passed, and thought myself so much injured by
the person
