My love for her, and the excellent character I gave her, were then pleaded.

Cl.  Specious seducer!—­Only tell me if I cannot get away from him by some back way?

How my heart then went pit-a-pat, to speak in the female dialect.

Cl.  Let me look out—­[I heard the sash lifted up.]—­Whither does that path lead?  Is there no possibility of getting to a coach?  Surely he must deal with some fiend, or how could he have found me out?  Cannot I steal to some neighbouring house, where I may be concealed till I can get quite away?  You are good people!—­I have not been always among such!—­ O help me, help me, Ladies! [with a voice of impatience,] or I am ruined!

Then pausing, Is that the way to Hendon? [pointing, I suppose.] Is Hendon a private place?—­The Hampstead coach, I am told, will carry passengers thither.

Mrs. Moore.  I have an honest friend at Mill-Hill, [Devil fetch her! thought I,] where, if such be your determination, Madam, and if you think yourself in danger, you may be safe, I believe.

Cl.  Any where, if I can but escape from this man!  Whither does that path lead, out yonder?—­What is that town on the right hand called?

Mrs. Moore.  Highgate, Madam.

Miss R. On the side of the heath is a little village, called North-end.  A kinswoman of mine lives there.  But her house is small.  I am not sure she could accommodate such a lady.

Devil take her too! thought I,—­I imagined that I had made myself a better interest in these women.  But the whole sex love plotting—­and plotters too, Jack.

Cl.  A barn, an outhouse, a garret, will be a palace to me, if it will but afford me a refuge from this man!

Her senses, thought I, are much livelier than mine.—­What a devil have I done, that she should be so very implacable?  I told thee, Belford, all I did:  Was there any thing in it so very much amiss?  Such prospects of a family reconciliation before her too!  To be sure she is a very sensible lady!

She then espied my new servant walking under the window, and asked if he were not one of mine?

Will. was on the look-out for old Grimes, [so is the fellow called whom my beloved has dispatched to Miss Howe.] And being told that the man she saw was my servant; I see, said she, that there is no escaping, unless you, Madam, [to Miss Rawlins, I suppose,] can befriend me till I can get farther.  I have no doubt that the fellow is planted about the house to watch my steps.  But the wicked wretch his master has no right to controul me.  He shall not hinder me from going where I please.  I will raise the town upon him, if he molests me.  Dear Ladies, is there no back-door for me to get out at while you hold him in talk?

Miss R. Give me leave to ask you, Madam, Is there no room to hope for accommodation?  Had you not better see him?  He certainly loves you dearly:  he is a fine gentleman; you may exasperate him, and make matters more unhappy for yourself.