She was rising in great wrath: but her woman said, Good your ladyship,

you'll do yourself more harm than her; and if the poor girl has been

deluded so, as you have heard, with the sham marriage, she'll be more

deserving of your ladyship's pity than anger. True, Beck, very true,

said my lady; but there's no bearing the impudence of the creature in

the mean time. I would have gone out at the door, but her kinsman ran and set his back

against it. I expected bad treatment from her pride, and violent temper;

but this was worse than I could have thought of. And I said to him, Sir,

when my master comes to know your rude behaviour, you will, may be, have

cause to repent it: and went and sat down in the window again.

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Another challenge, by gad! said he; but I am glad she says her

master!--You see, madam, she herself does not believe she is married,

and so has not been so much deluded as you think for: And, coming to

me with a most barbarous air of insult, he said, kneeling on one knee

before me, My new aunt, your blessing or your curse, I care not which;

but quickly give me one or other, that I may not lose my dinner!

I gave him a most contemptuous look: Tinselled toy, said I, (for he was

laced all over), twenty or thirty years hence, when you are at age, I

shall know how to answer you better; mean time, sport with your footman,

and not with me! and so I removed to another window nearer the door, and

he looked like a sad fool, as he is.

Beck, Beck, said my lady, this is not to be borne! Was ever the like

heard! Is my kinsman and Lord Davers's to be thus used by such a slut?

And was coming to me: And indeed I began to be afraid; for I have but

a poor heart, after all. But Mrs. Jewkes hearing high words, came in

again, with the second course, and said, Pray your ladyship, don't so

discompose yourself. I am afraid this day's business will make matters

wider than ever between your good ladyship and your brother: For my

master doats upon madam. Woman, said she, do thou be silent!

Sure, I that was born in this house,

may have some privilege in it, without being talked to by the saucy

servants in it! I beg pardon, madam, replied Mrs. Jewkes; and, turning to me, said,

Madam, my master will take it very ill if you make him wait for you

thus. So I rose to go out; but my lady said, If it was only for that

reason she shan't go.--And went to the door and shut it, and said to

Mrs. Jewkes, Woman, don't come again till I call you; and coming to me,

took my hand, and said, Find your legs, miss, if you please.




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