 as a jolly corpulent
man. He gave him to understand, however, that even granting him to be the
person, I was by no means subject to military law, unless he could prove, that I
had ever inlisted in his majesty's service.
    Thus disappointed in his endeavours, he returned to the inn, and, with much
persuasion, trusted himself in my dining-room, after having stationed his
attendant at the door, in case of accidents. When I asked, what had procured me
the honour of this visit; he told me, his business and intention were to carry
me home; and this declaration produced a conference, in which I argued the case
with him; and matters were accommodated for the present, by my promising to be
in England some time in September, on condition that he would permit me to live
by myself, as before, and immediately order the arrears of my pin-money to be
paid. He assented to every thing I proposed, returned in peace to his own
country, and the deficiencies of my allowance were made good; while I returned
to Brussels, where I stayed until my departure for England, which I regulated in
such a manner as was consistent with my engagement.
    I took lodgings in Pall-mall, and sending for my lord, convinced him of my
punctuality, and put him in mind of his promise; when, to my utter astonishment
and confusion, he owned, that his promise was no more than a decoy to bring me
over, and that I must lay my account with living in his house, like a dutiful
and obedient wife. I heard him with the indignation such treatment deserved,
upbraided him with his perfidious dealing, which I told him would have
determined me against cohabitation with him, had I not been already resolved:
and being destitute of all resource, repaired to Bath, where I afterwards met
with Mr. D-- and Mr. R--, two gentlemen who had been my fellow-passengers in the
yacht from Flanders, and treated me with great friendship and politeness,
without either talking or thinking of love.
    With these gentlemen, who were as idle as myself, I went to the jubilee at
Preston, which was no other than a great number of people assembled in a small
town extremely ill accommodated, to partake of diversions that were bad
imitations of plays, concerts, and masquerades. If the world should place to the
account of my indiscretion, my travelling in this manner, with gentlemen to whom
I had no particular attachment; let it also be considered, as an
