of carriage. He goes on; “Now you must
know we have an ambition to have it to say, that we
have a Protestant nunnery in England: but pray
Mrs. Betty——“—“Sir,”
she replied, “my name is Susan, at your service.”—“Then
I heartily beg your pardon——“—“No
offence in the least,” says she, “for I
have a cousin-german whose name is Betty."[6]—“Indeed,”
said he, “I protest to you that was more than
I knew, I spoke at random: But since it happens
that I was near in the right, give me leave to present
this gentleman to the favour of a civil salute.”
His friend advances, and so on, till that they had
all saluted her. By this means, the poor girl
was in the middle of the crowd of these fellows, at
a loss what to do, without courage to pass through
them; and the Platonics, at several peepholes, pale,
trembling, and fretting. Rake perceived they were
observed, and therefore took care to keep Sukey in
chat with questions concerning their way of life;
when appeared at last Madonella,[7] a lady who had
writ a fine book concerning the recluse life, and
was the projectrix of the foundation. She approaches
into the hall; and Rake, knowing the dignity of his
own mien and aspect, goes deputy from his company.
She begins, “Sir, I am obliged to follow the
servant, who was sent out to know, What affair could
make strangers press upon a solitude which we, who
are to inhabit this place, have devoted to Heaven
and our own thoughts?”— “Madam,”
replies Rake, (with an air of great distance, mixed
with a certain indifference, by which he could dissemble
dissimulation) “your great intention has made
more noise in the world than you design it should;
and we travellers, who have seen many foreign institutions
of this kind, have a curiosity to see, in its first
rudiments, this seat of primitive piety; for such
it must be called by future ages, to the eternal honour
of the founders. I have read Madonella’s
excellent and seraphic discourse on this subject.”
The lady immediately answers, “If what I have
said could have contributed to raise any thoughts in
you that may make for the advancement of intellectual
and divine conversation, I should think myself extremely
happy.” He immediately fell back with the
profoundest veneration; then advancing, “Are
you then that admired lady? If I may approach
lips which have uttered things so sacred—”
He salutes her. His friends followed his example.
The devoted within stood in amazement where this would
end, to see Madonella receive their address and their
company. But Rake goes on—“We
would not transgress rules; but if we may take the
liberty to see the place you have thought fit to choose
for ever, we would go into such parts of the gardens
as is consistent with the severities you have imposed
on yourselves.”