ear brother, I am
overjoyed to see you! Pray come into our coach." He took the hint
immediately, and, complying with her request, embraced this new sister
with great affection.

Perceiving that her attendant was very much surprised and alarmed at
this unexpected meeting, she, in order to banish her suspicion, and at
the same time give her lover his cue, told him that his brother (meaning
her husband) was gone to the Spa for a few weeks, by the advice of
physicians, on account of his ill state of health; and that, from his
last letter, she had the pleasure to tell him he was in a fair way of
doing well. The young gentleman expressed his satisfaction at this
piece of news; observing, with an air of fraternal concern, that if
his brother had not made too free with his constitution, his friends in
England would have had no occasion to repine at his absence and want of
health, by which he was banished from his own country and connections.
He then asked, with an affectation of surprise, why she had not
accompanied her spouse, and was given to understand that his tenderness
of affection would not suffer him to expose her to the fatigues of the
journey, which lay among rocks that were almost inaccessible.

The duenna's doubts being eased by this preamble of conversation, he
changed the subject to the pleasures of the place; and, among other
such questions, inquired if she had as yet visited Versailles. This is
a public-house, situated upon the canal, at the distance of about
two miles from town, and accommodated with tolerable gardens, for the
entertainment of company. When she replied in the negative, he proposed
to accompany her thither immediately; but the governante, who had
hitherto sat silent, objected to this proposal; telling them, in broken
English, that as the lady was under her care, she could not answer to
Mr. Hornbeck for allowing her to visit such a suspicious place. "As
for that matter, madam," said the confident gallant, "give yourself no
trouble; the consequences shall be at my peril; and I will undertake to
insure you against my brother's resentment." So saying, he directed the
coachman to the place, and ordered his own to follow, under the auspices
of his valet-de-chambre; while the old gentlewoman, overruled by his
assurance, quietly submitted to his authority.

Being arrived at the place, he handed the ladies from the coach,
and then, for the first time, observed that the duenna was lame, a
circumstance