The watchman, who announced the hour of twelve, as he enter'd Knightsbridge, brought to his remembrance the caution his sei vant had given him, with regard to the lady at the white house. He tapp'd, gently, at the door; which was open'd by an elderly female, who usher'd him, with much caution, into the drawing-room-where was the lady of the mansion.. The do mestic withdrew; and Travers began to apologise for his intrusion-but was interrupted. "A truce with your apologies," she cried-" my own conduct demands one, much more; but it is evident, you took the purport of my message, although your servant threaten'd to have me tried for omyside, if any ill befel you.-It was, certainly, an uncommon mode of conveying an assignation-but what could I do?-I have no one to whom I could have intrusted a letter-nor any other means of intimating my sentiments. I judged your servant, from his appearance, to be the child of simplieity; consequently, that he would not dive into the drift of my message, while to you I attributed more penetration; and I cannot help declaring my satisfaction at the success of my little artifice. I am, unfortunately, married to a man old enough to be my father; and, I candidly own, I do not feel that warmth of affection for him, which I might have done, had I become the partner of a man like yourself. The absence of my husband has given me the opportunity I now enjoy. Put a liberal construction on my conduct; and, if it does not meet the approbation of your judgment, make some allowance for that lapse from propriety of which yourself have been the cause." This speech, utter'd in a voice which 66 Might have charm'd stern murder," and accompanied with the most languishing air, by a beautiful woman, was too much for our hero's fortitude. He forgot his vows to Rachel;-he, for the in stant, forgot each object in the world-save that whereon he gazed. "Further this deponent saith not." We never were given to pry; and, trusting our readers are equally incurious, we shall beg leave to draw the curtain. CHAPTER XVI. Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more! Men were deceivers ever; SHAKSPEARE. WHILE Philip was paying adoration to the shrine of Venus abroad, his servant was far from being idle, on the same score, at home. The goddess of his idolatry was no other than a plump wench, who was servant of all work in the house where his master lodged. Whether the tender heart of Hawbuck was enamour'd of the charms nature had given her, viz. a pair of sparkling eyes, rosy cheeks, and a well-turn'd ancle, clothed in black worsted; or whether it was the grace with which she moved in pattens, and turn'd her mop, we are unable to say. To suppose her intellectual accomplishments had any share in the triumph, would be to libel his judgment, as she was not many removes from an idiot. Be that as it may, long had he nourish'd his flame in secret; until, on the above night, returning from an adjacent publichouse "Hot with MALT and HOPS, and high in blood,” he summon'd resolution to make it known; which was done in the subsequent manner: He sat on one side of the kitchen-fire, and the queen of his wishes on the other; when, all on a sudden, he cried (sung, I should have said), with his usual melody of voice, "Dear! dear! what can the matter be? "La! what has bother'd thee?" inquired the girl. Kitty," said he, after several hems and ha's, "what be thy opinion of things in general?" |