could not accommodate him with a bed. He then gave me to
understand, that he would stay where he was; upon which my father took
his leave, on pretence of looking out for a lodging for himself. The
little gentleman being now left with me, began to discover some signs of
apprehension in his looks; but, mustering up all his resolution, he
went to the door, called up three of his servants, whom he placed as
sentinels upon the stairs, and flounced into my elbow-chair, where he
resigned himself to rest. Intending to go to bed, I thought it was but
just and decent that I should screen myself from the intrusion of his
footmen, and with that view bolted the door. Lord --, hearing himself
locked in, started up in the utmost terror and consternation, kicked the
door with his heel, and screamed aloud, as if he had been in the hands
of an assassin. My father, who had not yet quitted the house, hearing
these outcries, ran upstairs again, and, coming through my bedchamber
into the dining-room where we were, found me almost suffocated with
laughter, and his heroic son-in-law staring like one who had lost his
wits, with his hair standing on end.

"When my father asked the meaning of his exclamations, he told him, with
all the symptoms of dismay, that I had locked him in, and he did not
understand such usage. But I explained the whole mystery, by saying, I
had bolted the door because I did not like the company of his servants,
and could not imagine the cause of his panic, unless he thought I
designed to ravish him; an insult than which nothing was farther from my
intention. My father himself could scarce refrain from laughing at his
ridiculous fear; but, seeing him in great confusion, took pity on his
condition, and carried him off to his own lodgings, after I had given
my word that I would not attempt to escape, but give him audience next
morning. I accordingly kept my promise, and found means to persuade
them to leave me at my own discretion. Next day I was rallied upon
the stratagem I had contrived to frighten Lord --; and a thousand idle
stories were told about this adventure, which happened literally as I
have related it.

"From Bath I betook myself to a small house near Lincoln, which I had
hired of the d-- of A--, because a country life suited best with my
income, which was no more than four hundred pounds a year, and that
not well paid. I continued some months in this retirement, and saw
no company, except Lord R-- M--, who liv