. He
made a virtue of necessity, and having acquainted Newton with the wish
of Madame de Fontanges, requested his parole of honour that he would not
attempt to escape, if he was not delivered up to the authorities, and
remain some time at Lieu Desire. Newton, who had no wish to be
acquainted with a French _cachot_, sooner than it was absolutely
necessary, gave the promise required by Monsieur de Fontanges, assuring
him that ingratitude was not a part of his character. Monsieur de
Fontanges then requested that Newton would accept of a portion of his
wardrobe, which he would direct to be sent to the room that would be
prepared for him. This affair being arranged, Newton made his bow to
the lady, and in company with Monsieur de Fontanges, retired from the
boudoir.

It may be suspected by the reader, that Madame de Fontanges was one of
those ladies who cared a great deal about having their own way, and very
little for her husband. As to the first part of the accusation, I can
only observe, that I never yet had the fortune to fall in with any lady
who did not try all she could to have her own way, nor do I conceive it
to be a crime. As to the second, if the reader has formed that
supposition, he is much mistaken. Madame de Fontanges was very much
attached to her husband, and the attachment as well as the confidence
was reciprocal.

It was not therefore from any feeling of jealousy that Monsieur de
Fontanges had combated her resolution; but, as we have before observed,
from a conviction that he was wanting in his duty, when he did not
report the arrival of Newton at the plantation. The wish of Madame de
Fontanges to detain Newton was, as she declared, a caprice on her part,
which had entered her head, to amuse herself by teaching him French. It
is true that had not Newton been remarkably prepossessing in his
appearance, the idea would in all probability have never been conceived;
but, observing that he was much above the common class, and wishing to
relieve the general monotony of her life by any thing which would create
amusement, she had formed the idea, which, when combated by her husband,
was immediately strengthened to a resolution.

Of this Newton received the benefit. An excellent dinner or rather
supper with Monsieur de Fontanges, a comfortable bed in a room supplied
with all that convenience or luxury could demand, enabled him to pass a
very different night from those which we have latterly described.