ained by my indisposition to go to bed, and send for necessary
help; and in a few hours a living pledge of my love and indiscretion saw
the light, though the terrors and fatigue I had undergone had affected
this little innocent so severely, that it scarce discovered any
visible signs of life. My grief at this misfortune was inexpressible. I
forthwith despatched a message to the dear, the anxious father, who flew
to my arms, and shared my sorrow, with all the gentleness of love
and parental fondness; yet our fears were, for that time, happily
disappointed by the recovery of our infant daughter, who was committed
to the charge of a nurse in the neighbourhood; so that I could every day
be satisfied in my inquiries about her health. Thus I continued a whole
fortnight in a state of happiness and tranquility, being blessed with
the conversation and tender offices of my admirer, whose love and
attention I wholly engrossed. In a word, he gave up all business and
amusement, and concentrated all his care and assiduity in ministering to
my ease and satisfaction: and sure I had no cause to regret what I had
suffered on his account.

"But this my agreeable situation was one day disturbed by a most
alarming accident, by which my life was drawn into imminent danger. The
room under my bed-chamber took fire: I immediately smelt it, and saw the
people about me in the utmost perplexity and consternation, though they
would not own the true cause of their confusion, lest my health should
suffer in the fright. Nevertheless, I was so calm in my inquiries, that
they ventured to tell me my suspicion was but too just; upon which I
gave such directions as I thought would secure me from catching cold,
in case there should be a necessity for removing me; but the fire being
happily extinguished, I escaped that ceremony, which might have cost me
my life. Indeed, it was surprising that the agitation of my spirits did
not produce some fatal effect upon my constitution; and I looked upon my
deliverance as the protection of a particular providence.

"Though I escaped the hazard of a sudden removal, I found it was high
time to change my lodgings, because the neighbours rushing into the
house, upon the alarm of fire, had discovered my situation, though they
were ignorant of my name; and I did not think myself safe in being
the subject of their conjectures. Mr. S--, therefore, procured another
compartment, with better accommodation, to which I was carried a