thought I:] Miss Harlowe, Sir! There is, indeed, such a young lady
lodges here--But, but--

But, what, Madam?--I must see her.--One pair of stairs; is it not?--
Don't trouble yourself--I shall find her apartment. And was making
towards the stairs.

Sir, Sir, the lady, the lady is not at home--she is abroad--she is in the
country--

In the country! Not at home!--Impossible! You will not pass this story
upon me, good woman. I must see her. I have business of life and death
with her.

Indeed, Sir, the lady is not at home! Indeed, Sir, she is abroad!--

She then rung a bell: John, cried she, pray step down!--Indeed, Sir, the
lady is not at home.

Down came John, the good man of the house, when I expected one of his
journeymen, by her saucy familiarity.

My dear, said she, the gentleman will not believe Miss Harlowe is abroad.

John bowed to my fine clothes: Your servant, Sir,--indeed the lady is
abroad. She went out of town this morning by six o'clock--into the
country--by the doctor's advice.

Still I would not believe either John or his wife. I am sure, said I,
she cannot be abroad. I heard she was very ill--she is not able to go
out in a coach. Do you know Mr. Belford, friend?

Yes, Sir; I have the honour to know 'Squire Belford. He is gone into the
country to visit a sick friend. He went on Saturday, Sir.

This had also been told from thy lodgings to Will. whom I sent to desire
to see thee on my first coming to town.

Well, and Mr. Belford wrote me word that she was exceeding ill. How then
can she be gone out?

O Sir, she is very ill; very ill, indeed--she could hardly walk to the
coach.

Belford, thought I, himself knew nothing of the time of my coming;
neither can he have received my letter of yesterday: and so ill, 'tis
impossible she would go out.

Where is her servant? Call her servant to me.

Her servant, Sir, is her nurse: she has no other. And she is gone with
her.

Well, friend, I must not believe you. You'll excuse me; but I must go up
stairs myself. And was stepping up.

John hereupon put on a serious, and a less respectful face--Sir, this
house is mine; and--

And what, friend? not doubting then but she was above.--I must and will
see her. I have authority for it. I am a justice of the peace. I have
a search warrant.

And up I went; they following me, muttering, and in a plaguy flutter.

The first door I came to was locked. I tapped at it.

The lady, Sir, h