 with
any considerable allay, except that late stroke of providence which I have
already mentioned, and the reflexion of the sorrow that my conduct had intailed
upon my dear father, whom I loved beyond expression, and whom nothing could have
compelled me to disoblige but a more powerful flame, that prevailed over every
other consideration. As I was now forced to break off this inchanting
correspondence, it is not to be doubted that our parting cost us the most acute
sensations of grief and disappointment. However, there was no remedy: I tore
myself from his arms, took my leave of the family, after having acknowledged my
obligations to the duke, and set out for the place of rendezvous, where I was
met by my lord, attended by a steward whom he had lately engaged, and who was
one chief cause of our future separations. My lord having quitted his house in
town, conducted me to his lodgings in Pall-Mall, and insisted upon sleeping with
me the first night; but I refused to gratify his desire, on the authority of our
agreement.
    This dispute produced a quarrel, in consequence of which I attempted to
leave the house; and he endeavouring to prevent my retreat, I fairly locked him
in, ran down stairs, and calling a hackney coach, made the best of my way into
the city, to my father's lodgings, where I lay, the family being in town, tho'
he himself was in the country. I wrote to him immediately, and when he came to
London, declared my intention of separating from my lord, with which, seeing me
obstinate and determined, he at length acquiesced, and a formal separation
accordingly ensued, which at that time I thought binding and immutable.
    I was now sheltered under the wings of an indulgent father, who had taken me
into favour again, on the supposition that my commerce with Mr. S- was
absolutely at an end. Nevertheless, tho' we had separated, in all appearance,
for ever, we had previously agreed to maintain our correspondence in private
interviews, which should escape the notice of the world, with which I was again
obliged to keep some measures.
    Our parting at the duke of K-'s house in the country was attended with all
the genuine marks of sincere and reciprocal affection, and I lived in the sweet
hope of seeing him again, in all the transport of his former passion, when my
lawyer, who received my letters, brought me a billet one night, just as I had
gone to bed. Seeing the superscription of S-'s hand
