e first thing I had to do, was to compliment the prude into shyness by
complaints of shyness: next, to take advantage of the marquise's
situation, between her husband's jealousy and his sister's arrogance; and
to inspire her with resentment; and, as I hoped, with a regard to my
person. The French ladies have no dislike to intrigue.

'The sister began to suspect me: the lady had no mind to part with the
company of the only man who had been permitted to visit her; and told me
of her sister's suspicions. I put her upon concealing the prude, as if
unknown to me, in a closet in one of her own apartments, locking her in,
and putting the key in her own pocket: and she was to question me on the
sincerity of my professions to her sister, in her sister's hearing.

'She complied. My mistress was locked up. The lady and I took our
seats. I owned fervent love, and made high professions: for the marquise
put it home to me. The prude was delighted with what she heard.

'And how dost thou think it ended?--I took my advantage of the lady
herself, who durst not for her life cry out; and drew her after me to the
next apartment, on pretence of going to seek her sister, who all the time
was locked up in the closet.'

No woman ever gave me a private meeting for nothing; my dearest Miss
Harlowe excepted.

'My ingenuity obtained my pardon: the lady being unable to forbear
laughing throughout the whole affair, to find both so uncommonly tricked;
her gaoleress her prisoner, safe locked up, and as much pleased as either
of us.'

The English, Jack, do not often out-wit the French.

'We had contrivances afterwards equally ingenious, in which the lady, the
ice once broken [once subdued, always subdued] co-operated. But a more
tender tell-tale revealed the secret--revealed it, before the marquise
could cover the disgrace. The sister was inveterate; the husband
irreconcilable; in every respect unfit for a husband, even for a French
one--made, perhaps, more delicate to these particulars by the customs of
a people among whom he was then resident, so contrary to those of his own
countrymen. She was obliged to throw herself into my protection--nor
thought herself unhappy in it, till childbed pangs seized her: then
penitence, and death, overtook her the same hour!'

Excuse a tear, Belford!--She deserved a better fate! What hath such a
vile inexorable husband to answer for!--The sister was punished
effectually--that pleases me on reflectio