et too great a Value on your
Servant; but I rather think your Ladyship designs me this Honour for the
sake of Sir _William_, who has had the Happiness of your Acquaintance
for some Months: Something for Sir _William_, (returned the venerable
Lady _Beldam_) but much more for your Ladyship's own, as you will have
Occasion to find hereafter. I shall Study to deserve your Favours and
Friendship, Madam, reply'd _Philadelphia_: I hope you will, Madam, said
the barbarous Man. But my Business now calls me hence; to Morrow at
Dinner I will return to you, and Order the rest of your Things to be
brought with me. In the mean while (pursu'd the Traytor, kissing his
Sister, as he thought and hop'd the last time) be as chearful as you
can, my Dear! and expect all you can wish from me. A thousand Thanks, my
dearest Brother, return'd she, with Tears in her Eyes: And Madam, (said
he to his old mischievous Confederate, giving her a very rich Purse
which held 50 Guineas) be pleas'd to accept this Trifle, as an humble
Acknowledgment of the great Favour you do this Lady, and the Care of
her, which you promise; and I'm sure she cannot want. --So, once more,
(added he) my Dear! and, Madam! I am your humble Servant _Jusqu'
a Revoir_, and went out bowing. Heavens bless my dear Brother! (cry'd
_Philadelphia_) your Honour's most Faithful and obedient Servant, said
the venerable _Beldam_.

No sooner was the treacherous Brother gone, than the old Lady taking
_Philadelphia_ by the Hand, led her into the Parlour; where she began to
her to this Effect: _If I mistake not, Madam, you were pleas'd to call
Sir +William+ Brother once or twice of late in Conversation: Pray be
pleas'd to satisfy my Curiosity so far as to inform me in the Truth of
this Matter? Is it really so or not?_ _Philadelphia_ reply'd, blushing,
your Ladyship strangely surprizes me with this Question: For, I thought
it had been past your Doubt that it is so. Did not he let you know so
much himself? I humbly beg your Pardon, Madam, (returned the true
Offspring of old Mother _Eve_) that I have so visibly disturb'd you by
my Curiosity: But, indeed, Madam, Sir _William_ did not say your
Ladyship was his Sister, when he gave me the Charge of you, as of the
nearest and dearest Friend he had in the World. Now our Father and
Mother are dead, (said the sweet Innocent) who never had more Children
than us two, who can be a nearer or dearer Friend unto me, than my
Brother Sir _William_, or than I hi