ed
to compliance by a person of his rank and character. Induced by these
representations, the duke honoured me with a visit; and, in the course
of his exhortations, I understood how he had been thus misinformed. Upon
which I sent for Lord --, and, in his presence, convicted him of the
falsehood, by communicating to his grace the articles of our last
agreement, which he did not think proper to deny; and the duke, being
undeceived, declared, that he would not have given me the trouble of
vindicating myself, had he not been misled by the insincerity of my
lord.

"Baffled in this attempt, he engaged Mr. H-- V--, and afterwards my
own father, in the same task; and though I still adhered to my first
resolution, persisted with such obstinacy in his endeavours to make me
unhappy, that I determined to leave the kingdom. Accordingly, after
I had spent the evening with him at Ranelagh, I went away about two
o'clock in the morning, leaving my companion, with directions to restore
to my lord his house, furniture, plate, and everything he had given me
since our last accommodation; so far was I, upon this occasion, or at
any other time of my life, from embezzling any part of his fortune. My
friend followed my instructions most punctually: and his lordship knows
and will acknowledge the truth of this assertion.

"Thus have I explained the true cause of my first expedition to
Flanders, whither the world was good-natured enough to say, I followed
Mr. B-- and the whole army, which happened to be sent abroad that
summer. Before my departure, I likewise transmitted to Lord B-- the
dressing plate, china, and a very considerable settlement, of which he
had been generous enough to make me a present. This was an instance of
my integrity, which I thought due to a man who had laid me under great
obligations; and though I lived to be refused a small sum both by him
and S--, I do not repent of my disinterested behaviour; all the revenge
I harbour against the last of these lovers, is the desire of having it
in my power to do him good.

"I now found myself adrift in the world again, and very richly deserved
the hardships of my condition, for my indiscretion in leaving Lord B--,
and in trusting to the word of Lord -- without some further security;
but I have dearly paid for my imprudence. The more I saw into the
character of this man, whom destiny hath appointed my scourge, the more
was I determined to avoid his fellowship and communication; for he