have endured every other species
of distress, rather than given him the least uneasiness; but love, where
he reigns in full empire, is altogether irresistible, surmounts every
difficulty, and swallows up all other considerations. This was the case
with me; and now the irrevocable step was taken, my first care was to
avoid his sight. With this view, I begged that Lord W-- would think
of some remote place in the country, to which we might retire for the
present, and he forthwith conducted me to a house on Blackheath, where
we were very civilly received by a laughter-loving dame, who seemed
to mistake me for one of her own sisterhood. I no sooner perceived her
opinion, than I desired Lord W-- to undeceive her; upon which she was
made acquainted with the nature of my situation, and showed us into a
private room, where I called for pen and paper, and wrote an apology
to my father, for having acted contrary to his will in so important a
concern.

"This task being performed, the bridegroom gave me to understand, that
there was a necessity for our being bedded immediately, in order to
render the marriage binding, lest my father should discover and part
us before consummation. I pleaded hard for a respite till the evening,
objecting to the indecency of going to bed before noon; but he found
means to invalidate all my arguments, and to convince me that it was now
my duty to obey. Rather than hazard the imputation of being obstinate
and refractory on the first day of my probation, I suffered myself to be
led into a chamber, which was darkened by my express stipulation, that
my shame and confusion might be the better concealed, and yielded to the
privilege of a dear husband, who loved me to adoration.

"About five o'clock in the afternoon we were called to dinner, which we
had ordered to be ready at four; but such a paltry care had been forgot
amidst the transports of our mutual bliss. We got up, however, and when
we came downstairs, I was ashamed to see the light of day, or meet the
eyes of my beloved lord. I ate little, said less, was happy, though
overwhelmed with confusion, underwent a thousand agitations, some of
which were painful, but by far the greater part belonged to rapture and
delight; we were imparadised in the gratification of our mutual wishes,
and felt all that love can bestow, and sensibility enjoy.

"In the twilight we returned to Lord W--'s lodgings in town, where I
received a letter from my father, importing