the
motions of the army. In short, he seemed to consider my felicity more
than his own, and behaved with such delicacy, as gradually made an
impression on my heart, so that, when we parted, we agreed to renew our
correspondence in England.

"In the midst of these agreeable amusements, which I enjoyed in almost
all the different towns of Flanders, I happened to be at Ghent one day,
sitting among a good deal of company, in one of their hotels, when a
post-chaise stopped at the gate; upon which we went to the windows to
satisfy our curiosity, when who should step out of the convenience, but
my little insignificant lord! I no sooner announced him to the company,
than all the gentlemen asked whether they should stay and protect me,
or withdraw; and when I assured them that their protection was not
necessary, one and all of them retired; though Lord R-- M-- went no
farther than the parlour below, being determined to screen me against
all violence and compulsion. I sent a message to my lord, desiring him
to walk up into my apartment; but although his sole errand was to see
and carry me off, he would not venture to accept of my invitation,
till he had demanded me in form from the governor of the place. That
gentleman, being altogether a stranger to his person and character,
referred him to the commanding officer of the English troops, who was a
man of honour, and, upon his lordship's application, pretended to doubt
his identity; observing, that he had always heard Lord -- represented
as a jolly, corpulent man. He gave him to understand, however, that even
granting him to be the person, I was by no means subject to military
law, unless he could prove that I had ever listed in his Majesty's
service.

"Thus disappointed in his endeavours, he returned to the inn, and,
with much persuasion, trusted himself in my dining-room, after having
stationed his attendants at the door, in case of accidents. When I asked
what had procured me the honour of this visit, he told me, his business
and intention were to carry me home. This declaration produced a
conference, in which I argued the case with him; and matters were
accommodated for the present, by my promising to be in England some time
in September, on condition that he would permit me to live by myself, as
before, and immediately order the arrears of my pin-money to be paid. He
assented to everything I proposed, returned in peace to his own country,
and the deficiencies of my allowance