Charge, and employed her Sifter as her Deputy; under which Management fhe underwent the most fhocking Mortifications and Hardships, which were increased by her being guarded so strictly, that it was impoffible for us to correfpond together. I fought out by all the Ways I could to tranfmit a Letter to her Hands, but in vain; and at length fhe was carried to his Castle, about three Leagues from hence, where every Servant is an Argus; notwithstanding which, I have Yefterday, by difguifing myself as a Workman, a Number being employed at prefent in making fome Repairs in his Manfionhoufe, delivered a Letter to her Hands as fhe walked in the Garden, by which I have appointed her to be ready To-morrow Night at Six o'Clock in the Park, where her Mother permits her fometimes, with herfelf and her Sifter, to walk; when, with Heaven's Help, and your kind Affiftance, I am refolved to take her from her Tyrants, and make her mine, for which I have got a License ready. We confented to bear him Company, and fet out at the Hour appointed, and had not been lang at our Station, well armed, before we faw the beautiful Marguerite appear, attended by her two Tormentors, who shewed all the Animosity in their Behaviour to the poor Lady, that could be; whilst she, confcious of approaching Relief, had a Countenance,, in which Joy feemed to feek Shelter under the Mafk of Sadness. When they came pretty near, the Marquis

Marquis went forth from our Ambuscade, and, advancing towards his Mistress, took her by the Hand, and faluting her, was going to lead her off; when Madame D'Aulnay interposed, and asked him, What Business he had with the Lady? Upon which he retorted, A Business that God and Nature approves, not fuch a Bufinefs as you, Madam, once propofed to me. She fwelled with Malice and Spite at this Anfwer, and ordered Bellimante to go and alarm the Family, that they might prevent a Rape; but our Friend led off a blooming Maid, blushing like the rofy Morn, and having put her into a Chariot, that stood ready, without any Pursuit or Oppofition, we carried her to his Caftle, where his Sifter and other Ladies were affembled to receive her; and from thence we attended them to Evreux, where a Prieft tied the holy Knot, and made them one in Perfon, as they had been long in Soul. The next Day, he, attended by us, waited upon his Father-in-law, who at firft gave him but a cold Reception; but when he declared he expected no Fortune with her, and that he only hoped he'd do her Juftice at his Death, he brightened up, and became fo faciable, that he delivered all her Wearing Apparel, and promised, if they behaved dutifully to him, she should be treated by him like a Daughter at his Death.

CHAP.

CHAP. LVII.

They Return to Paris.-A Propofal of Marriage is made to him. - Eftampe's Behaviour thereon. He asks him a particular Favour. -Is denied after importuning his Mafter to grant it.-A terrible Fire at the House of Du Pleffis.-Goes to Serena's at her Defire. -Sees Eftampe's Sifter.-A most affecting Difcovery.-Great Joy of Sharpley, and the Family.

A Few Days after the Marquis's Nuptials were

celebrated, we took Leave of that happy Couple, who parted with us with Reluctance, and returned to Paris, where, as foon as we arrived, I fent Eftampe to find out Sharpley, and give him Notice of it. He found him at Serena's, and he came, or rather flew to my Arms at the fift Summons, expreffing all the Joy his honeft Heart felt at feeing me again; and I, for my Part, experien ced as much Joy in meeting that worthy Man, as I did when he informed me, that Serena's Mother bad at length, confented to gratify his and her Daughter's Inclination, in returning to her native Country, and making thefe two tender Lovers happy in each other; and therefore Sharpley very preffingly importuned me to make our Stay in France

as

as fhort as poffible. I affured him I would foon refolve to fet out for England; but, tho' I longed, yet I dreaded to fet foot on that delightful Shore. As Sorrow increases by Comparison with others Felicity, the Happiness I had been Witness to in the Marquis and his Lady, and that I now perceived in my Friend, recalled a Number of fad and doleful Ideas into my Mind, and I gave myself over to all the Pangs and Tortures that Defpair indulged can inflict. In vain were the little Arts my Eftampe put in Practice to chear me; I faw all Nature happy, I thought, but myself, and in the irrecoverable Lofs of Louifa, I found all the Affection that a hu man Breast could feel, and Serena and her Mother, defiring my Company, at the fame Time, added to my Unhappinefs, by introducing me to the Countess D'Elbeuf, who had taken a Liking to my Person, and who defired them privately to let me know, that my Addreffes to her would be fo a greeable, that, if I would marry her, she would fettle the whole of her immenfe Fortune on me and Heirs. She was young, handfome, and rich, and the two Ladies ufed, or feemed to ufe, all their Art to bring me to pay her a Vifit; which I obftinately, notwithstanding, refufed, and fternly told them, if the Subject was again infifted on, I must come to a Refolution never to fee them more whilst they staid in France; and, Sharpley joining his Intreaties to mine, I heard no more of the Propofal

my

from

C

from that Quarter; but I found Eftampe was let on continually to ring the Countefs's Praises in my Ears, and, in an infinuating Way, to represent how hurtful my fruitless and unavailing Tears were for the Loss of my Louifa, and how much my Re-pining was a Sin against Heaven: That I was in the Prime of Life, and owed a Duty to my Friends and Country, which I was by my Refolution and Manner of Life attempting to destroy. He fell at. my Feet, and begged me to lay aside all Thoughts of my unfortunate Angel, and to embrace the enticing and glittering Profpects that were yielded to my Acceptance. 1. rofe up in a Fury, and cried out, pushing him rudely from me, and art thou fo little acquainted with my Temper, as to utter fuch: Words before me? Thou, who beareft the Imager of my adorable Louisa, and whom, in Respect to: that, I have made my Companion and Bosom Friend;-begone from my Sight, and never fee me more! No, I continued, fhedding a Flood of Tears, never fhall the generous Compact we made be broken, never will I forfeit my Vows of eternal Truth and Conftancy, which Death and the Grave have not the Power to cancel Made before the awful Majefty of Heaven, in Heaven the facred Tie shall be affirmed, and my Louisa shall be mine for ever! This Ring, the facred Pledge of my Louifa's Love! This fpeaking Picture, that almost truly smiles, and soft approves my Conftancy, fhall'