t, however, rely upon this, but the next day she thought there could
be no danger, when the earl himself came to her lodgings attended by a
clergyman, and another man for a witness: the marriage was accordingly
solemnized with all due ceremonies, in the presence of one of her
fellow players, who attended as a witness on her part. You will suppose,
perhaps, that the new countess had nothing to do but to appear at court
according to her rank, and to display the earl's arms upon her carriage.
This was far from being the case. When examination was made concerning
the marriage, it was found to be a mere deception: it appeared that the
pretended priest was one of my lord's trumpeters, and the witness his
kettle drummer. The parson and his companion never appeared after the
ceremony was over; and as for the other witness, they endeavoured to
persuade her that the Sultana Roxana might have supposed, in some
part or other of a play, that she was really married. It was all to no
purpose, that the poor creature claimed the protection of the laws of
God and man, both which were violated and abused, as well as herself,
by this infamous imposition: in vain did she throw herself at the King's
feet to demand justice: she had only to rise up again without redress;
and happy might she think herself to receive an annuity of one thousand
crowns, and to resume the name of Roxana, instead of Countess of Oxford.
You will say, perhaps, that she was only a player; that all men have
not the same sentiments as the earl; and, that one may at least believe
them, when they do but render justice to such merit as yours. But still
do not believe them, though I know you are liable to it, as you have
admirers; for all are not infatuated with Miss Jennings: the handsome
Sydney ogles you; Lord Rochester is delighted with your conversation;
and the most serious Sir Lyttleton forsakes his natural gravity in
favour of your charms. As for the first, I confess his figure is very
likely to engage the inclinations of a young person like yourself; but
were his outward form attended with other accomplishments, which I know
it is not, and that his sentiments in your favour were as real as he
endeavours to persuade you they are, and as you deserve, yet I would not
advise you to form any connections with him, for reasons which I cannot
tell you at present.

"Sir Lyttleton is undoubtedly in earnest, since he appears ashamed of
the condition to which you have reduced him