I afterwards told Mrs. Jewkes, at the window, that since I was hindered
from going to you, I believed it was best to let Robert go with the
chariot, and say, Lady Davers was come, and I could not leave her
ladyship. But this did not please; and I thought it would too; for she
said, No, no, he'll think I make the creature my companion, and know not
how to part with her. Exactly, said he, my sister again.
And she said, I knew nothing what belonged to people of condition; how
should I?--What shall I say, madam? said I. Nothing at all, answered
she; let him expect his dearest love, alluding to your kind epithet in
your letter, and be disappointed; it is but adding a few more hours
to this heavy absence, and every one will become a day in his amorous
account. So, to be short, I saw nothing was to be done; and I feared, sir, you
would wonder at my stay, and be angry; and I watched my opportunity,
till my lady, who was walking about the room, was at the further end;
and the parlour being a ground-floor, in a manner, I jumped out at the
window, and ran for it.
Her ladyship called after me; so did her woman; and I heard her say, I
flew like a bird; and she called two of her servants in sight to stop
me; but I said, Touch me at your peril, fellows! And Mr. Colbrand,
having been planted at hand by Mrs. Jewkes, (who was very good in the
whole affair, and incurred her ladyship's displeasure, once or twice, by
taking my part,) seeing how I was used, put on a fierce look, cocked
his hat with one hand, and put t'other on his sword, and said, he would
chine the man who offered to touch his lady. And so he ran alongside
of me, and could hardly keep pace with me:--And here, my dear sir,
concluded I, I am, at yours and the good company's service.
They seemed highly pleased with my relation; and my master said, he was
glad Mrs. Jewkes behaved so well, as also Mr. Colbrand. Yes, sir, said
I: when Mrs. Jewkes interposed once, her ladyship said, It was hard,
she, who was born in that house, could not have some privilege in
it, without being talked to by the saucy servants. And she called her
another time fat-face, and womaned her most violently.
Well, said my master, I am glad, my dear, you have had such an escape.
My sister was always passionate, as Mrs. Peters knows: And my poor
mother had enough to do with us both. For we neither of us wanted
spirit: and when I was a boy, I never came home from school or college
for a few days, but though we longed to see one another before, yet ere
the first day was over, we had a quarrel; for she, being seven years
older than I, was always for domineering over me, and I could not bear
it. And I used, on her frequently quarrelling with the maids, and being
always at a word and a blow, to call her Captain Bab; for her name is
Barbara. And when my Lord Davers courted her, my poor mother has made up
quarrels between them three times in a day; and I used to tell her, she
would certainly beat her husband, marry whom she would, if he did not
beat her first, and break her spirit.