 melancholy pleasure of a tender embrace
at parting -- I say, when I had thus signified my intention, Mrs. Sagely told
me, that Narcissa, upon her return from the Bath, had been so strictly watched,
that no body, but one or two of the servants devoted to her brother, was
admitted to her presence; that afterwards she had been a little enlarged, and
was permitted to see company; during which indulgence, she had been several
times at her cottage: but of late she had been betrayed by one of the servants,
who discovered to the squire, that he had once carried a letter from her to the
post-house directed to me; upon which information, she was now more confined
than ever, and that I could have no chance of seeing her, unless I would run the
risque of getting into the garden, where she and her maid were every day allowed
to take the air, and lie hid until I should have an opportunity of speaking to
them - an adventure which would be attended with such danger, that no man in his
right wits would attempt it. - This enterprize, hazardous as it was, I resolved
to perform, in spite of all the arguments of Mrs. Sagely, who reasoned, chid,
and intreated by turns; and the tears and prayers of Strap, who conjured me on
his knees, to have more regard to myself as well as to him, than to tempt my own
destruction in such a precipitate manner. But I was deaf to every thing, but the
suggestions of my love; and ordering him to return immediately with the horses
to the inn from whence we set out, and wait for my coming in that place, he at
first peremptorily refused to leave me, until I perswaded him, that if our
horses should remain where they were 'till day-light, they would certainly be
discovered, and the whole county alarmed. On this consideration, he took his
leave in a sorrowful plight, kissed my hand, and weeping, cried, »God knows if
ever I shall see you again.« - My kind landlady finding me obstinate, gave me
her best advice how to behave in the execution of my project; and after having
perswaded me to take a little refreshment, accommodated me with a bed, and left
me to my repose. - Early in the morning, I got up, and armed with a couple of
loaded pistols and a hanger, went to the back of the Squire's garden, climbed
over the wall, and, according to Mrs. Sagely's
