What a fine hand, proceeded I, has a peer of the realm made of it! to have this said of him, and per-haps, had you been in his presence, to him, by a woman whose courage is founded in his weakness? Let me tell you, madam

She held up her clasped hands For God’s sake, forgive me, Sir! and stand my friend.

A hundred and fifty pounds a year, madam, is rich payment for ani/ consideration that a woman could give, who has more spirit than virtue. Had you kept that, madam, you would, though the daughter of cottagers, have been superior to the greatest man on earth, who wanted to corrupt you. But thus far, and as a punishment to my lord for his wilful weakness, I will be your friend Retire from my lord: you shall have 250/. a year: and as you were not brought up to the expectation of one half of the for-tune, bestow the hundred a year, that was in debate, upon young creatures of your sex, as an encouragement to them to preserve that chastity, which you, with your eyes open, gave up; and, with the rest, live a life suitable to that disposition; and then, as my fellow-creature, I will wish you happy.

She begged leave to withdraw: she could not, she said, stand in my presence.

I had, indeed, spoken with warmth. She with-drew, trembling, courtesying, mortified: and I re — turned to my lord.

He was very earnest to hear my report. I again put it to him. Whether he adherea to his resolution of parting with his woman? He declared in the af-firmative with greater earnestness than before; and begged to know, if I could manage it that she should go, and that without seeing him? I cannot bear to see her, said he.

H 3

Bravoes of the law, cowards and cullies to their paramours, are these keepers, generally. I have ever suspected the courage (to magnanimity they must be strangers) of men who can defy the laws of society. I pitied him: and believing that it would, not be difficult to manage this heroine, who had made her weak lord afraid of her; I said, Have you a mind, my lord, that she shall quit the house this night, and before I leave it? If you have, I think I can undertake that she shall.

And can you do this for me? If you can, you shall be my great Apollo. That will, indeed, make me happy: for the moment you are gone, she will force herself into my presence, and will throw the gout, perhaps, into my stomach. She reproaches me, as if she had been an innocent woman, and I the most ungrateful of men. For God’s sake, nephew, release me from her, and I shall be happy. I would have left her behind me in the country, proceeded he; but she would come with me. She was afraid that I would appeal to you: she stands in awe of nobody else. You will be my guardian angel, if you will rid me of this plague.