I hasten to her Apartment, where
her endearing Assurances banish all my Doubts and Apprehensions--in my
Retreat discover Somebody in the Dark, whom, suspecting to be a Spy, I
resolve to kill, but, to my great Surprise, am convinced of his being
no other than Strap--Melinda slanders me--I become acquainted with
Lord Quiverwit, who endeavours to sound me with regard to Narcissa--the
Squire is introduced to his Lordship, and grows cold towards me--I learn
from my Confidante, that this Nobleman professes honourable Love to my
Mistress, who continues faithful to me, notwithstanding the scandalous
Reports she had heard to my Prejudice--I am mortified with an Assurance
that her whole Fortune depends upon the Pleasure of her Brother--Mr.
Freeman condoles me on the Decline of my Character, which I vindicate so
much to his satisfaction, that he undertakes to combat Fame on my behalf

Having uttered this exclamation, at which she sighed, I went home in the
condition of a frantic Bedlamite: and, finding the fire in my apartment
almost extinguished, vented my fury upon poor Strap, whose ear I pinched
with such violence, that he roared hideously with pain; and, when
I quitted my hold, looked so foolishly aghast, that no unconcerned
spectator could have seen him without being seized with an immoderate
fit of laughter. It is true, I was soon sensible of the injury I had
done, and asked pardon for the outrage I had committed; upon which my
faithful valet, shaking his head, said, "I forgive you, and may
God forgive you!" But he could not help shedding some tears at my
unkindness. I felt unspeakable remorse for what I had done, cursed my
own ingratitude, and considered his tears as a reproach that my soul, in
its present disturbance, could not bear. It set all my passions into a
ferment: I swore horrible oaths without meaning or application. I foamed
at the mouth, kicked the chairs about the room, and played abundance of
mad pranks that frightened my friend almost out of his senses. At length
my transport subsided, I became melancholy, and wept insensibly.

During this state of dejection, I was surprised with the appearance of
Miss Williams, whom Strap, blubbering all the while, had conducted into
the chamber without giving me previous notice of her approach. She was
extremely affected with my condition, which she had learned from him,
begged me to moderate my passion, suspend my conjectures, and follow her
to Narcissa, who desired to