alth and spirits, I resolved to repair again to France,
my best refuge and sure retreat from the persecution of my tyrant. Yet,
before I took this step, I endeavoured, by the advice of my friends, to
conceal myself near Windsor; but was in a little time discovered by my
lord, and hunted out of my lurking-place accordingly. I then removed
to Chelsea, where I suffered inconceivable uneasiness and agitation
of mind, from the nature of my situation, my tranquility being thus
incessantly invaded by a man who could not be satisfied with me, and yet
could not live without me. So that, though I was very much indisposed,
I set out for France, by way of the Hague, as the war had shut up all
other communication, having no other attendant but my woman S--, who,
though she dreaded the sea, and was upon the brink of matrimony, would
not quit me in such a calamitous condition, until I was joined by my
footman and another maid, whom I ordered to follow me with the baggage.
But, before my departure, I sent a message to Lord --, demanding my
clothes, which he had seized in Essex; and, he refusing to deliver them,
I was obliged to equip myself anew, upon credit.

"I was supplied with money for my journey by my good friend L--; and,
after a short and pleasant passage, arrived at the Hague, where I
stayed two months, and parted with S--, on whom I settled an annuity
of five-and-twenty pounds, payable out of the provision which I had or
might obtain from my husband. The same allowance had I prevailed upon
Lord B-- to grant to another maid, who attended me while I lived in his
house.

"I did not much relish the people in Holland, because they seemed
entirely devoted to self-interest, without any taste for pleasure or
politeness; a species of disposition that could not be very agreeable
to me, who always despised money, had an unbounded benevolence of
heart, and loved pleasure beyond every other consideration. When I
say pleasure, I would not be understood to mean sensuality, which
constitutes the supreme happiness of those only who are void of
sentiment and imagination. Nevertheless, I received some civilities in
this place, and, among the rest, the reputation of having for my lover
the king of P--'s minister, who was young and airy, and visited me
often; circumstances that were sufficient to lay me under the imputation
of an amour, which I frequently incurred without having given the least
cause of suspicion.

"Having taken leave of my Du