-, son to the duke of S. A--, who was
the only person upon earth who could have betrayed us to my father, because he
alone was trusted with the secret of our intended marriage, and had actually
undertaken to give me away; an office which he afterwards declined. Lord W--m
also affirmed, that my father decoyed me into the country, with a view of
cooping me up, and sequestering me intirely from his view and correspondence.
    In vain I pleaded my father's well-known tenderness, and used all the
arguments I could recollect to divert him from his revenge upon lord H--. He was
deaf to all my representations, and nothing, I found, would prevail upon him to
suppress his resentment, but a positive promise to comply with his former
desire. I told him, I would hazard every thing to make him happy; but could not,
with any regard to my duty, take such a step, without the knowledge of my
parent; or, if I were so inclined, it would be impracticable to elude his
vigilance and suspicion. However, he employed such pathetic remonstrances, and
retained such a powerful advocate within my own breast, that before we parted, I
assured him, my whole power should be exerted for his satisfaction; and he
signified his resolution of sitting up all night, in expectation of seeing me at
his lodgings.
    He had no sooner retired, than I went into the next room, and desired my
father to fix a day for the marriage; in which case, I would chearfully wait
upon him into the country; whereas, should he deny my request, on pretence of
staying for the consent of my lover's relations, which was very uncertain, I
would seize the first opportunity of marrying lord W--m, cost what it would. He
consented to the match, but would not appoint a day for the ceremony, which he
proposed to defer until all parties should be agreed; and such a favourable
crisis, I feared, would never happen.
    I therefore resolved within myself to gratify my lover's expectation, by
eloping, if possible, that very night; though the execution of this plan was
extremely difficult, because my father was upon the alarm, and my own maid, who
was my bedfellow, altogether in his interest. Notwithstanding these
considerations, I found means to engage one of the house-maids in my behalf, who
bespoke an hackney-coach, to be kept in waiting all night; and to bed I went
with my Abigail,
