d a place of that kind in his view. This piece of
generosity affected me so much, that I was unable for some time to
express my gratitude, which at length broke out in acknowledgments of
my own unworthiness, and encomiums on his benevolence. I could not even
help shedding tears at the goodness of this noble lord, who no sooner
perceived them than he caught me in his arms, and hugged and kissed
me with a seemingly paternal affection. Confounded at this uncommon
instance of fondness for a stranger, I remained a few moments silent and
ashamed; then rose and took my leave, after he had assured me that he
would speak to the minister in my favour that very day; and desired that
I would not for the future give myself the trouble of attending at
his levee, but come at the same hour every day, when he should be at
leisure, that is, three times a week.

Though my hopes were now very sanguine, I determined to conceal my
prospect from everybody, even from Strap, until I should be more certain
of success: and in the meantime give my patron no respite from my
solicitations. When I renewed my visit, I found the street-door opened
to me as if by enchantment; but in my passage towards the presence-room,
I was met by the valet-de-chambre, who cast some furious looks at me the
meaning of which I could not comprehend. The earl saluted me at entrance
with a tender embrace, and wished me joy of his success with the
Premier, who, he said, had preferred his recommendation to that of two
other noblemen very urgent in behalf of their respective friends, and
absolutely promised that I should go to a certain foreign court in
quality of secretary to an ambassador and plenipotentiary who was to
set out in a few weeks an affair of vast importance to the nation. I was
thunderstruck with my good fortune, and could make no other reply than
kneel and attempt to kiss my benefactor's hand, which submission he
would not permit; but, raising me up, pressed me to his breast with
surprising emotion, and told me he had now taken upon himself the care
of making my fortune. What enhanced the value of the benefit still the
more, was his making light of the favour, and shifting the conversation
to another subject.

Among other topics of discourse, that of the Belles Lettres was
introduced, upon which his lordship held forth with great taste and
erudition and discovered an intimate knowledge of the authors of
antiquity, "Here's a book," said he, taking one from his