Letters Part Three

'My dearest love, for ever yours, etc.'

'If you could go to dine with them, it will be a freedom that would be
very pleasing to them; and the more, as they don't expect it.'

I begin to have a little concern, lest his fatigue should be too great,
and for the poor sick gentleman and family; but told Mrs. Jewkes, that
the least intimation of his choice should be a command to me, and so
I would go to dinner there; and ordered the chariot to be got ready to
carry me: when a messenger came up, just as I was dressed, to tell her
she must come down immediately. I see at the window, that visitors are
come; for there is a chariot and six horses, the company gone out of it,
and three footmen on horseback; and I think the chariot has coronets.
Who can it be, I wonder?--But here I will stop, for I suppose I shall
soon know.

Good sirs! how unlucky this is! What shall I do!--Here is Lady Davers
come, her own self! and my kind protector a great, great many miles
off!--Mrs. Jewkes, out of breath, comes and tells me this, and says,
she is inquiring for my master and me. She asked her, it seemed, naughty
lady as she is, if I was whored yet! There's a word for a lady's mouth!
Mrs. Jewkes says, she knew not what to answer. And my lady said, She
is not married, I hope? And said she, I said, No: because you have not
owned it yet publicly. My lady said, That was well enough. Said I, I
will run away, Mrs. Jewkes; and let the chariot go to the bottom of
the elm-walk, and I will steal out of the door unperceived: But she is
inquiring for you, madam, replied she, and I said you was within, but
going out; and she said, she would see you presently, as soon as she
could have patience. What did she call me? said I. The creature, madam;
I will see the creature, said she, as soon as I can have patience. Ay,
but, said I, the creature won't let her, if she can help it.