 himself on this unexpected occasion, that already began to interfere
with the purpose of his coming thither, though it could not dispute his
attention with the idea of his charming Unknown.
    His Mercury having made his observations, reported, that there was no body
in the coach but Mrs. Hornbeck and an elderly woman, who had all the air of a
duenna, and that the servant was not the same footman who had attended them in
France. Encouraged by this information, our hero ordered himself to be driven
close up to that side of their convenience on which his old mistress sat, and
accosted her with the usual salutation. This lady no sooner beheld her gallant,
than her cheeks reddened with a double glow; and she exclaimed, »Dear brother,
I'm overjoy'd to see you! Pray come into our coach.« He took the hint
immediately, and complying with her request, embraced this new sister with great
affection.
    Perceiving that her attendant was very much surprised and alarmed at this
unexpected meeting, she, in order to banish her suspicion, and at the same time
give her lover his cue, told him that his brother (meaning her husband) was gone
to the Spa for a few weeks, by the advice of physicians, on account of his ill
state of health; and that, from his last letter, she had the pleasure to tell
him, he was in a fair way of doing well. The young gentleman expressed his
satisfaction at this piece of news, observing with an air of fraternal concern,
that if his brother had not made too free with his constitution, his friends in
England would have had no occasion to repine at his absence and want of health,
by which he was banished from his own country and connexions. He then asked with
an affectation of surprize, why she had not accompanied her spouse? and was
given to understand, that his tenderness of affection would not suffer him to
expose her to the fatigues of the journey, which lay among rocks that were
almost inaccessible.
    The duenna's doubts being eased by this preamble of conversation, he changed
the subject to the pleasures of the place; and among other such questions,
inquired if she had as yet visited Versailles? This is a public house situated
upon the canal, at the distance of about two miles from town, and accommodated
with tolerable gardens for the entertainment of company. When she replied in the
negative, he proposed to accompany her thither immediately; but the governante,
who had hitherto sat silent, objected to this proposal, telling them, in broken
English,
