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.
Pray, Mrs. Jewkes, favour my escape, for this once; for I am sadly
frighted.--Said she, I'll bid the chariot go down, as you order, and
wait till you come; and I'll step down and shut the hall door, that you
may pass unobserved; for she sits cooling herself in the parlour, over
against the staircase. That's a good Mrs. Jewkes! said I: But who has
she with her? Her woman, answered she, and her nephew; but he came
on horseback, and is going into the stables; and they have three
footmen.--And I wish, said I, they were all three hundred miles
off!--What shall I do?--So I wrote thus far, and wait impatiently to
hear the coast is clear.
Mrs. Jewkes tells me I must come down, or she will come up. What does
she call me now? said I. Wench, madam, Bid the wench come down to me.
And her nephew and her woman are with her.
Said I, I can't go, and that's enough!--You might contrive it that I
might get out, if you would.--Indeed, madam, said she, I cannot; for I
went to shut the door, and she bid me let it stand open; and there
she sits over against the staircase. Then, said I, I'll get out of the
window, I think!--(And fanned myself;) for I am sadly frightened. Laud,
madam, said she, I wonder you so much disturb yourself!--You're on the
right side the hedge, I'm sure; and I would not be so discomposed for
any body. Ay, said I, but who can help constitution? I dare say you
would no more be so discomposed, that I can help it.--Said she, Indeed,
madam, if it was to me, I would put on an air as mistress of the house,
as you are, and go and salute her ladyship, and bid her welcome. Ay, ay,
replied I, fine talking!--But how unlucky this is, your good master is
not at home! What answer shall I give her, said she, to her desiring to see
you?--Tell her, said I, I am sick a-bed; I'm dying, and must not be
disturbed; I'm gone out--or any thing.