This Letter being thus written, I dated it two days before, and
subscribed it from an Inn in a Town forty miles off from _Paris_, it was
directed to him in the usual manner and form; and so having seal’d it, I
gave it my Boy, who soon conveyed it to the place where he had the
other. And that my Project might take effect, I went immediately to find
him out, resolving to keep him continually in my sight, and oversee all
his Actions, from the time he should receive his Letter, till I should
see him on Horseback, on his Journey. I soon found him out, and went
home with him, where the Boy gave him the Letter, he opened it, and
retired, I gave him the conveniency of reading it, which he soon did,
and coming up to me, told me that he had hasty News; is it private?
replyed I; no, said he, but I think I must leave your company for a few
days; when, said I? To morrow morning, said he; that is much! replyed I,
sure it is hasty News indeed, if you must be gone so soon; yes truly,
said he, you may see the Letter, and then you may judge of the matter;
hereupon he delivered me the Letter, which I having read over, told him
that indeed if this Unkle, who was sick, was as nearly allied to him in
friendship, as he was in consanguinity, that then it was necessary he
should suddenly obey his orders. He is, replyed he, not only my Unkle,
but my Father, For I never knew no other Father I had, for my Father his
Brother died, when I was but six months old, and left me and my Estate
to his disposing; neither continued he, hath he any Child or Relation
nearer than I am; I told him that if it were so, I would advise him not
to let any time slip, but to take Horse and be gon that night; he was
unwilling so to do, for, said he, I have another affair to dispatch that
is of considerable consequence. I supposing it was his Love business,
and being resolv’d to bear him off from all proceeding therein at the
present, fearing lest he should send some Letter, and so my design would
be frustrate; I therefore said, that nothing whatever should hinder me
from present going, if I were in his condition, and if he would
communicate his other affairs to me, I would act for him all I could to
my power; he answered me that the affairs he meant were of such a
quality, that none but himself could dispatch; I replyed that I then
supposed they might be of some Love-concern, to this he only laughed,
and finding that he had a great inclination to do somewhat in that
nature that might spoil my design; I therefore used so many arguments
with him to cause him to begin his Journey, that I saw him that Evening
on horseback, with a resolution to ride twenty miles onwards of his
Journey that night, that so he might reach the end of it the next day
betimes.
And now I having dispatch’d him out of the way, did not question but I
might accomplish my design as I had determin’d. It was but then but
Tuesday night, and the time appointed by the Letter was Thursday night,
so that till then I waited with some impatience, but the hour being
come, I went to the Place, which was the Back-door, which I had formerly
taken notice of. I was so desirous of finishing the Adventure I was
about, that I had made more haste than ordinary, and being come somewhat
before the precise time, I was forced to wait, not daring to knock lest
I should offend. But long I had not staid, before an adjoyning Clock
struck eleven, and within less than a minute afterwards the door opened,
and a Female looking out, and seeing me walk, beckoned me to come on; I
did so, and without one words speaking, entred the house, and following
my Conductress close at the heels, went up stairs, and coming to a
Chamber-door, she only said, now Sir, you may enter there to your and my
Mistress, and stay till I come and call you, which will be about two
hours hence, but I pray be sure you talk not, lest that discover you; I
listened attentively to what was told me, and promising obedience only
by a Bow which I made, the Servant left me, and I entred the Chamber;
although there was no Candle, yet I could see where the Bed stood, and
going thither I saw my Mistress whom I saluted, and then retiring pul’d
off my Clothes and leap’d into Bed to her, I lay down by her, and during
the two hours time I staid, you may be sure I was not idle, I made no
noise by speaking, knowing that it might be of dangerous consequence in
a double manner; and the two hours being come, our attendant came and
told me it was time to rise. I though unwilling enough did so, and
putting on my Clothes was soon dress’d, and coming once more to kiss my
Mistress, she told me softly that in the window in a Purse was the
hundred Crowns she promis’d, I making her a profound Reverence, and
kissing her hand, went thither, and finding the Purse, put it into my
pocket, and the Maid hastning me, I departed, when she came to the
Back-door, she told me that e’re many days, she would find a way how I
might enjoy my Mistress with more freedom; I pulling a Crown out of my
pocket, put it into her hand, and bade her goodnight: And thus, said the
young Gentleman, did I obtain my Ends upon this Gentlewoman; and (said
he) I being now entred was resolved to proceed, and therefore the next
day went again by the door, and seeing none but her self in the Shop, I
entred, and desired to see silk enough for a New Suit; she shew’d it me,
and I soon agreed on the price, giving her own demands, but when I came
to pay, and drew out the purse she had given me, which was a very
remarkable one; she looked very wishfully on it; Nay Madam said I, it is
the same I receiv’d of you last night; how! replied she, am I betraid
then? No dear Madam, said I, there is no Treachery in the Case, onely
the excess of my love to you, made me run a great hazard; I hope, Sir,
replyed she, you are not guilty of any murder of my former friend: no
Madam, (said I) I have only by a piece of Wit remov’d him at present;
well, Sir, (replied she) you seem to be a Gentleman of that temper that
you will not wrong a Woman, I have not time or opportunity to discourse
you at large, but that I might engage you to secrecy, I not only freely
give you the money you have in possession, but also I desire you to
accept this Stuff you intended to buy, and I pray with your first
conveniency let me have an Account of this strange Adventure; I had
hardly time to answer her (You shall Madam) but her Husbands Kinswoman
came near us, all that I could do was to deliver the parcel to my Boy,
and making the ordinary Reverence, I departed.