or I had no
expectation of any good from her; that so she might suppose I employed
myself, as I said, to no better purpose at other times: for she will
have it, that I am upon some plot, I am so silent, and love so much to
be by myself.--She would have made me write on a little further. No,
said I; you have not answered me. Why, said she, what can you doubt,
when my master himself assures you of his honour? Ay, said I; but lay
your hand to your heart, Mrs. Jewkes, and tell me, if you yourself
believe him. Yes, said she, to be sure I do. But, said I, what do you
call honour? Why, said she, what does he call honour, think you?--Ruin!
shame! disgrace! said I, I fear.--Pho! pho! said she; if you have any
doubt about it, he can best explain his own meaning:--I'll send him word
to come and satisfy you, if you will.--Horrid creature! said I, all in a
fright--Can'st thou not stab me to the heart? I'd rather thou would'st,
than say such another word!--But I hope there is no such thought of his
coming.

She had the wickedness to say, No, no; he don't intend to come, as
I know of--But if I was he, I would not be long away. What means the
woman? said I.--Mean! said she, (turning it off;) why I mean, I would
come, if I was he, and put an end to all your fears--by making you as
happy as you wish. It is out of his power, said I, to make me happy,
great and rich as he is! but by leaving me innocent, and giving me
liberty to go to my dear father and mother.

She went away soon after, and I ended my letter, in hopes to have an
opportunity to lay it in the appointed place. So I went to her, and
said; I suppose, as it is not dark, I may take another turn in the
garden. It is too late, said she; but if you will go, don't stay; and,
Nan, see and attend madam, as she called me.

So I went towards the pond, the maid following me, and dropt purposely
my hussy: and when I came near the tiles, I said, Mrs. Anne, I have
dropt my hussy; be so kind as to look for it; I had it by the pond
side. She went back to look, and I slipt the note between the tiles,
and covered them as quick as I could with the light mould, quite
unperceived; and the maid finding the hussy, I took it, and sauntered
in again, and met Mrs. Jewkes coming to see after me. What I wrote was
this:

'REVEREND SIR,

'The want of an opportunity to speak my mind to you, I am sure will
excuse this boldness in a poor creature that is betrayed hither, I have
reason to think, for th