Hast thou told me how I was seiz'd and carry'd off? How I was rescu'd again? AndÑ
No, indeed, Madam, interrupted Lucy, I don't dream; I never told your Ladyship that you was carry'd off.
Well, said Arabella, and why dost thou not satisfy my Curiosity? Is it not fit I should be acquainted with such a momentous Part of my History?
I can't indeed, and please your Ladyship, said Lucy.
What, can'st thou not, said Arabella, enrag'd at her Stupidity, as she thought it.
Why, Madam, said Lucy sobbing, I can't make a History of nothing.
Of nothing, Wench, resum'd Arabella, in a greater Rage than before: Dost thou call an Adventure to which thou was a Witness, and borest haply so great a Share in, nothing?ÑAn Adventure which hereafter will make a considerable

Figure in the Relation of my Life, dost thou look upon as trisling and of no Consequence?
No, indeed I don't, Madam, said Lucy.
Why then, pursued Arabella, dost thou wilfully neglect to relate it? Suppose, as there is nothing more likely, thou wert commanded by some Persons of considerable Quality, or haply some great Princes and Princesses, to recount the Adventures of my Life, would'st thou omit a Circumstance of so much Moment?
No indeed, Madam, said Lucy.
I am glad to hear thou art so discreet, said Arabella; and pray do me the Favour to relate this Adventure to me, as thou would'st do to those Princes and Princesses, if thou wert commanded.
Here, Arabella making a full Stop, fix'd her Eyes upon her Woman, expecting every Moment she would begin the desir'd NarrativeÑ But finding she continu'd silent longer than she thought was necessary for recalling the several Circumstances of the Story into her Mind,
I find, said she, it will be necessary to caution you against making your Audience wait too long for your Relation; it looks as if you was to make a studied Speech, not a simple Relation of Facts, which ought to be free from all Affectation of Labour and Art; and be told with that graceful Negligence which is so becoming to Truth.
This I thought proper to tell you, added she, that you may not fall into that Mistake when you are called upon to relate my AdventuresÑ Well, now if you please to beginÑ,

What, pray, Madam, said Lucy?