 did not know where Sir Thomas then was, but ventured to direct it to him according to my former address from Bath, to his father's house in Bloomsbury square.
But when I had sealed this billet, a new difficulty occured to me, how I could possibly get it conveyed to him—All connection between me and the world had been cut off, from the moment of my commitment. My duenna had, at first, refused to let a letter from me, even to my mother, be carried to the post; and told me frankly then, that any directed to me were ordered to be returned from thence, unopened, to Mr. W—
The danger pressed, and some attempt must be hazarded. I recollected

that there was a labourer who generally worked in the garden, and appeared to be a person of rational intelligence; I therefore went out to him, and gave the letter into his hands, with a bribe of five guineas, which fee I promised to double for him, on his return with an answer, and hinted to him all proper cautions, with regard to the secrecy of his commission.
I instructed the messenger to make some pretence or other, of private business, for absenting himself from his service, and desired him not to attempt to deliver the answer of my letter to me, till he should meet me alone in the garden—I had a full view of it from the windows of my apartment, and watched with the utmost impatience, for his appearance

again, from the moment that I thought it possible for him to have returned. How much did I envy, during this anxious interval, the infinitely preferable state of the meanest peasant I heard whistling carelessly across the demesne, who enjoyed peace and competence, without a consciousness of guilt, or the fear of detection!
At length I had the satisfaction to see my courier arrive, and waiting till I perceived the coast clear, I stole out to him, and had the pleasure to receive a letter from Sir Thomas, filled with the tenderest professions of love, and the fullest assurances of honour. He promised to be with me that very evening, just at night fall, and desired I would meet him at the end of the grove, near the house.

I was punctual to time and place, and found him also exact to his appointment.
He was full of transport at the sight of me, but I was not in a fit disposition of mind to attend to his extasies—I begged he would compose himself while I looked about through every avenue, to see that no prying eye was near, to
