hat way. It
happen'd that a young Lady who lodg'd in the same House with him, had
occasion to pay a visit to her Acquaintance; my Brother observing her in
a Posture to go out of the House alone, offer'd to usher her to the
place she design'd for. The Lady with the usual _French_ Freedom and
obliging Air, made him a Courtsey, and accepted the Offer. When he
complied with this Piece of Civility, he took his leave, and return'd to
his Lodgings. From this Accident my Brother dated an Intrigue. The
Ladies Carriage (which by the way was nothing but what is customary
there upon a slender Acquaintance) encourag'd him to make Advances; the
next Step he made was to drink Tea with her in her Chamber, and
afterwards he invited her to the _Opera_. But the young Lady as she was
strictly Virtuous, never gave way to none of these Freedoms, but in the
Company of her Landlady or her Daughter, who were both Prudes. In the
mean time a Relation of this Gentlewoman's, who was a Lieutenant in the
Regiment of _Navarre_ came up to _Paris_, and had not been long in Town
before he was inform'd by some busy Noddle, that his Cousin was either
upon the Point of being married, or what was rather suggested to him,
that one Captain _Ramkins_ a _Scotch_ Officer, who lodg'd in the same
House, had dishonourable Designs upon her. Now as Persons never want
Arguments to induce them to take things in the worst Sense, (tho' I will
not avouch for my Brothers Intention) so the _French_ Officer being of a
suspicious and also a fiery Temper, wanted no body to exasperate him. He
took it for granted the Thing was so, and taking Coach he came to his
Kinswoman, and after having attack'd her with a great deal of scurrilous
Language, he waited not for her Reply, but flung away to find my Brother
in order to cut his Throat. My Brother was then at St. _Germains_
receiving his last Orders from the Secretary for his departure for
_Ireland_, but return'd that Night to _Paris_. His Landlady at his
Return gave him a Note, which she said was deliver'd to her by the Post.
The Contents were a double Surprize to him, first a bold and daring
Challenge, and again, he neither knew whom he was to meet, nor upon what
Account, only the Time and Place were mention'd. Thus doubtful with
himself what Course to take, he acquainted his Landlady with the Subject
of the Letter, but she was also at a loss, having neither seen the
Lady's Relation, nor heard that he was come to Town, otherwise it m