. He by force kissed my neck and lips; and said, Whoever blamed Lucretia?

All the shame lay on the ravisher only and I am content to take all the

blame upon me, as I have already borne too great a share for what I have

not deserved. May I, said I, Lucretia like, justify myself with my death, if I am used

barbarously! O my good girl! said he, tauntingly, you are well read,

I see; and we shall make out between us, before we have done, a pretty

story in romance, I warrant ye.

He then put his hand in my bosom, and indignation gave me double

strength, and I got loose from him by a sudden spring, and ran out of

the room! and the next chamber being open, I made shift to get into it,

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and threw to the door, and it locked after me; but he followed me so

close, he got hold of my gown, and tore a piece off, which hung without

the door; for the key was on the inside.

I just remember I got into the room; for I knew nothing further of the

matter till afterwards; for I fell into a fit with my terror, and there

I lay, till he, as I suppose, looking through the key-hole, spyed me

upon the floor, stretched out at length, on my face; and then he called

Mrs. Jervis to me, who, by his assistance, bursting open the door, he

went away, seeing me coming to myself; and bid her say nothing of the

matter, if she was wise.

Poor Mrs. Jervis thought it was worse, and cried over me like as if she

was my mother; and I was two hours before I came to myself; and just as

I got a little up on my feet, he coming in, I fainted away again with

the terror; and so he withdrew: but he staid in the next room to let

nobody come near us, that his foul proceedings might not be known.

Mrs. Jervis gave me her smelling-bottle, and had cut my laces, and set

me in a great chair, and he called her to him: How is the girl? said he:

I never saw such a fool in my life. I did nothing at all to her. Mrs.

Jervis could not speak for crying. So he said, She has told you, it

seems, that I was kind to her in the summer-house, though I'll assure

you, I was quite innocent then as well as now; and I desire you to keep

this matter to yourself, and let me not be named in it.




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