She would not tell, she could only state the
circumstances to me; so I, being sensible that a little dignity of
manner became me in my elevated situation, returned for answer
that, if it was business that could not be transacted by my
steward, it must remain untransacted. The answer which the
servant brought back was of a threatening nature. She stated she
must see me, and, if I refused her satisfaction there, she would
compel it where I should not evite her.
My friend and director appeared pleased with my dilemma, and
rather advised that I should hear what the woman had to say; on
which I consented, provided she would deliver her mission in his
presence. She came with manifest signs of anger and indignation,
and began with a bold and direct charge against me of a shameful
assault on one of her daughters; of having used the basest of
means in order to lead her aside from the paths of rectitude; and,
on the failure of these, of having resorted to the most unqualified
measures.
I denied the charge in all its bearings, assuring the dame that I
had never so much as seen either of her daughters to my
knowledge, far less wronged them; on which she got into great
wrath, and abused me to my face as an accomplished vagabond,
hypocrite, and sensualist; and she went so far as to tell me
roundly that if I did not marry her daughter, she would bring me
to the gallows and that in a very short time.
Pages:
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266