s warm: I perceived
his coldness, my heart took the alarm, my tears reproached him, and
I insisted upon the performance of his promise to espouse me, that,
whatever should happen, my reputation might be safe. He seemed to
acquiesce in my proposal, and left me on pretence of finding a proper
clergyman to unite us in the bands of wedlock. But alas! the inconstant
had no intention to return. I waited a whole week with the utmost
impatience; sometimes doubting his honour, at other times inventing
excuses for him, and condemning myself for harbouring suspicions of his
faith. At length I understood from a gentleman who dined at our house,
that this perfidious wretch was on the point of setting out for London
with his bride, to buy clothes for their approaching nuptials. This
information distracted me! Rage took possession of my soul; I denounced
a thousand imprecations, and formed as many schemes of revenge against
the traitor who had undone me. Then my resentment would subside to
silent sorrow. I recalled the tranquillity I lost, I wept over my
infatuation, and sometimes a ray of hope would intervene, and for a
moment cheer my drooping heart; I would revolve all the favourable
circumstances of his character, repeat the vows he made, ascribe his
absence to the vigilance of a suspicious father who compelled him to
a match his soul abhorred, and comfort myself with the expectation of
seeing him before the thing should be brought to any terms of agreement.
But how vain was my imagination! That villain left me without remorse,
and in a few days the news of his marriage were spread all over the
country. My horror was then inconceivable; and had not the desire of
revenge diverted the resolution, I should infallibly have put an end to
my miserable life. My father observed the symptoms of my despair: and
though I have good reason to believe he guessed the cause, was at
a great deal of pains to seem ignorant of my affliction, while he
endeavoured with parental fondness to alleviate my distress. I saw his
concern, which increased my anguish, and raised my fury against the
author of my calamity to an implacable degree.

'Having furnished myself with a little money, I made an elopement from
this unhappy parent in the night-time, and about break of day arrived at
a small town, from whence a stage coach set out for London, in which I
embarked, and next day alighted in town; the spirit of revenge having
supported me all the way against ever