not repeat his objections to this place, he said: but as to
going to Windsor, or wherever else I thought fit, or as to his personal
attendance, or leaving me, he would assure me (he very agreeably said)
that I could propose nothing in which I thought my reputation, and even
my punctilio, concerned, that he would not cheerfully come into. And
since I was so much taken up with my pen, he would instantly order his
horse to be got ready, and would set out.

Not to be off my caution. Have you any acquaintance at Windsor? said
I.--Know you of any convenient lodgings there?

Except the forest, replied he, where I have often hunted, I know the
least of Windsor of any place so noted and so pleasant. Indeed I have
not a single acquaintance there.

Upon the whole, I told him, that I thought his proposal of Windsor, not
amiss; and that I would remove thither, if I could get a lodging only
for myself, and an upper chamber for Hannah; for that my stock of money
was but small, as was easy to be conceived and I should be very loth to
be obliged to any body. I added, that the sooner I removed the better;
for that then he could have no objection to go to London, or Berkshire,
as he pleased: and I should let every body know my independence.

He again proposed himself, in very polite terms, for my banker. But I,
as civilly, declined his offer.

This conversation was to be, all of it, in the main, agreeable. He asked
whether I would choose to lodge in the town of Windsor, or out of it?

As near the castle, I said, as possible, for the convenience of going
constantly to the public worship; an opportunity I had been very long
deprived of.

He should be very glad, he told me, if he could procure me
accommodations in any one of the canon's houses; which he imagined would
be more agreeable to me than any other, on many accounts. And as he
could depend upon my promise, Never to have any other man but himself,
on the condition to which he had so cheerfully subscribed, he should be
easy; since it was now his part, in earnest, to set about recommending
himself to my favour, by the only way he knew it would be done. Adding,
with a very serious air--I am but a young man, Madam; but I have run a
long course: let not your purity of mind incline you to despise me for
the acknowledgement. It is high time to be weary of it, and to reform;
since, like Solomon, I can say, There is nothing new under the sun: but
that it is my belief, that a life of vir