Читать книгу The English Rogue: Continued in the Life of Meriton Latroon, and Other Extravagants: The Fourth Part - Richard Head - Страница 7

Table of Contents

Mistress Dorothy finishes the Story of the Gentleman-Soldier and Mercers Wife; who being returned to England, renews his Suit to his old Mistress, though married to another, whose weakness made the match unsuitable, whose Estate depending on an Heir, and this Husband uncapable of getting one, gave the Gentleman that opportunity whereby he at once had a Wife, an Heir, and an Estate.

Thus (continued the young Gentleman) did I initiate my acquaintance with this woman, which is one of the best and pleasantest Adventures of my life, and indeed, said he, I have no cause to complain of women, for that Sex hitherto hath been very lucky to me, as you may guess by my Story of the Courtezan, whose Cabinet and other things I conveyed away; and now by this second French adventure I was likely to gain more, and that more honourably than by the other. But, continued he, in six days after my Companion returned from his Journey; I asked him if we must not all have Stables; Why? said he; because, replied I, I suppose that your Unkle is dead, and hath left you all he hath: No such matter, replied he, but I could wish that he were hang’d that writ the Letter; why? said I, I think it was very carefully done, of him, and that he deserved not only thanks, but a Reward; I should reward him if I knew who he was, said he: Why, cannot you find him? said I; No, nor no body else, said he, there is no such sign nor no such man, living in or near that Town, nor in all that Countrey, that I could hear of; but I hope (said I) there was and is such an Unkle; yes, reply’d he, and Heavens be praised, in health too, but I was forc’d to go further a field to find him, for after I had spent a whole day in fruitless search for the Host, who sent the Letter, and could not hear of any Tale nor Tidings of him, I being within thirty miles of my Unkles habitation, thought it very proper to ride on thither, and so I did, but when I came I found him well and lusty, I shewed him the Letter, and thereby he knew the occasion of my Journey, but he knew not who writ it, and he and I both concluded it was a trick put upon me, however we were joyful to see one another well, and he intended to take a journey to Paris in few days, to order me some moneys, but since I was come my self, he resolved to desist from that Journey, and give me Bills of Exchange, fain he would have engaged me to have staid there for some days longer, but telling him I had affairs of consequence to dispatch at Paris, that required my presence, he gave me leave to depart; and so, said he, with all possible expedition I am returned: and you are very welcome (replyed I) but this was a very strange adventure of the Letter, and I cannot tell to what purpose, nor I neither said he, but I hope to find it out, for I preserve the Letter carefully. I gave him the hearing, and now knowing his thoughts, I believed my self obliged to mind his Actions; as for the Letter he had, and his Design of finding out the Writer of the Letter by the hand, I knew he could not, for although I writ it, yet it was in such a hand as I never writ before, and which I then writ on purpose not to be discovered by it, if he should be acquainted with my hand, as hitherto he was not, wherefore I car’d not for that, but my chiefest care was in charging my Boy to watch his, and knowing that he would suddenly write a Letter to send to his Mistress, I commanded him to use all possible diligence to get it into his Custody, and bring it to me, as being a matter of very great consequence.

My Boy followed my directions so carefully, that he attained his ends, but with much difficulty, for no sooner was my friend parted from me, but he writ a Letter to his Mistris, and giving it to the Boy, charged him immediately to carry it: My Boy who waited all his motions, seeing him running with a Letter in his hand, asked him what haste? great haste, said the Boy, and would have proceeded, but my boy caught hold on him, and said, how now, what is your haste so great that you cannot spare time to drink with your friends? time enough for that anon, said the Boy, and would have proceeded; but my Boy knowing how strictly I had charged him about this Letter, was resolv’d by Hook or by Crook to be Master of it, and therefore told him, that although he had not been so civil as to give him his Foy when he went out (for he had been the Journey with his Master) yet he would now give him his Welcome home. The other understanding there was drink in the case, and that of free-cost, went in with him to the next Drinking house, and my boy knowing what a work he had in hand, calling for a quart of Wine, desired a Room above stairs, so that up they went, and my Boy intending to fuddle the other, cheated him in his drink, for after two or three Glasses were off, and the other boy began to be merry, my Boy drank water, and the other wine, so that in short time he was knock’d down, and fell asleep; and it was not long e’re he took the Letter out of his pocket, and that he might make all sure, he lock’d the Chamber door, bringing the Key with him, and thus he securing the Letter, and boy both; came to me, and brought me the Letter, which I immediately opened, and read these words:

Madam,

Ever since that fortunate Minute wherein I first had the happiness to be acquainted with you, my stars I thank them have been very propitious to me; and Dame Fortune (how unconstant soever she hath been to others) hath yet been to me very favourable, so that till within these few days I could boast that no malevolent Planet hath had any malign influence in my ascendant; I thought and hoped I should have lived and died in this opinion; but I now have cause enough to change my mind, for I have lately had such a cross adventure, that I yet know not what to think of it, but if all be right and well with you, I then bid defiance to fortune; Madam, I am very unquiet and much puzzeld, so that I know not how to begin, nor well know what to say to you, but hoping you will pardon this impertinence, and attribute it to my perplexity; I shall thus plainly begin with you, and this it is: Madam, about ten days since when I last was with you, among other Requests I desired a hundred Crowns of you for a present use, till my Vnkle whom I every day expected should come to Town; in regard you never refused me anything, I did not doubt of that, and therefore expected to hear from you accordingly, but just at that time when I expected a Letter from you, I received one from my Vnkle, as I thought, whereby, as that Letter inform’d me, I thought it absolutely necessary to leave Paris, and go to him forty miles, to a Town where he lay sick, I was perswaded to be gone immediately, and indeed over-rul’d by an intimate friend, and one that I have so great a respect for, that I had no reason to suspect, and what he urged being as I thought reasonable: I soon mounted on Horse-back, and departed, I must beg your pardon that I did not acquaint you with this sudden remove, but it was impossible to do it without suspition of my Friend from whom I have hitherto conceal’d our amours, as I have done from all the world besides.

This Letter which I received, I found was but forged, and written on purpose to cause me to leave the City, but if in my absence I have not received some prejudice in your opinion, I account all the rest of my trouble and vexation as nothing, wherefore I pray Madam, let me know in what condition I am with you, and whether you know any thing, and what you do know of this Adventure, and I shall always remain

Your constant Friend

S. N.

When I had read this Letter, I found that half my work was done to my hand, for I was resolved to write to this woman, and now having a fit opportunity I writ as followeth.

Madam,

Some months ago I had occasion to lay out some money in some Stuff, and my good fortune guiding me to your Shop, I there not only saw, but pitied you, for that I saw you were wedded to one more fit to be your Father than Husband; that pity begot love, and that so violent, that I knew not how to suppress it, I thought it might be possible to be favourably receiv’d by you, but knew not how to make my Addresses to you, lest your honour should be brought in question, I therefore waited all opportunities, and at length found one, the most lucky that could befal; for my friend Mounsieur N. being absent and a Letter of yours coming into my hands, I had a great curiosity to see it, doubting that it was, what indeed I found it to be, a Letter of Love; but when I found that it was from you, and that thereby was a particular appointment for him to come to you; I was mightily pleas’d, and you may judge the great satisfaction I receiv’d. My love towards you being so violent, I was resolv’d to hazard my friendship to him, and rather than fail, be a Traitor; and indeed, what would I not have done, to have had the happiness of enjoying you? Therefore Madam, knowing his absence would be absolutely necessary, it was I that fram’d that Letter which caused his Journey, and thereby I had the happiness in his stead to be well used by you and now Madam, you may unfold the Riddle, but I hope you are so discreet as to conceal the truth of this Adventure, which were it discovered, would be of dangerous consequence, not only to us both, but also to your own Reputation; I judge you will conceal it, and hope you will give me other opportunities of waiting on you, when I shall acquaint you particularly how I came by that Letter and this; Thus hoping that I may enjoy the second place if not the first in your esteem, I rest

Your most ardently affectionate Friend, M. G.

This Letter being written, I enclosed it in the other, and gave it my Boy, who ran immediately to the house, where he left his drunken Companion, and opening the door, he made so much noise as awaked him, wherefore my Boy seeing him ready to rise, ran to him, and insensibly convey’d the Letter into his pocket.

The Boy being now pretty sober, remembred the Errant he was sent about, and doubting he should be chid would needs depart about it; my Boy permitted him so to do, and so came home to me.

And thus Mistress Dorothy (said he to me) did I discover the whole intreague of this business to my Mistress, and she soon after sent a Letter to me, and another to my Friend, wherein she manag’d the Concern so tenderly and so handsomely, that she satisfied him and me both, and I having a Summons from her, waited on her three miles out of the Town, where I acquainted her with all that she was ignorant of, and I pressed her so with my affection, that she accepted me, and I think in time I had the first place in her affection: and thus said he, did I live the pleasantest life in the world, all the time that I staid in Paris; and now I hope, said he, I have satisfied you with my amours, which hitherto had been very fortunate, and I thank my Stars, Venus hath been ever my Friend, or else I had not had the happiness of your acquaintance, and thus did he fully finish his discourse.

And now, said Mistress Dorothy, I have related all that I think is convenient and necessary about my Gentleman Soldier, and therefore I shall conclude that Story; No, said I, I have some questions to ask you, which I desire to be satisfied in, and which I believe will engage you in a little further discourse: That which I am first to desire of you is, that since you have entertained us so largely, and indeed pleasantly, with the adventures of the Gentleman Soldier, that you would tell us what became of him, and what more you know of him? for, continued I, I am perswaded that all you can say of him is so considerable, that it is worth our hearing, and your recital. Truly, replyed Mistress Dorothy, I have indeed somewhat more to say of him, which may be as pleasant as the rest, but his Stories being only things by the by, and which do not at all concern you, and me very little, I thought what hath been said already is enough, but if you will needs hear me proceed further, I will not refuse you the satisfaction you desire.

I have already, told you of his two French Adventures, neither did he tell me of any thing more that befel him in France which was considerable; but he having quitted that Countrey, and being come to England, it was not long e’re I came acquainted with him, and our acquaintance proceeding to a familiarity, he not only related to me all those adventures I have already recited, but he also told me the condition and state of his affairs at present: He told me that he left England upon a discontent, for he having been in love with a young Gentlewoman, one of his own age and Quality, and that so long and effectually, that he had won her to consent to marriage, provided her Parents did so: but when they came acquainted with his pretentions, they absolutely refus’d it, for no other reason, but that his estate did not equal hers, for she was the only Child of her Parents, who were very rich, and he although he was equal to her in birth, yet in Estate he came far short, as being a younger Brother, and having but a small allowance or patrimony, nor indeed was there much probability of any increase or addition to his Estate: This was the Consideration why he was refused, and therefore having again tryed his Ladies mind, who although she loved him well, yet was resolved in her marriage to be wholly guided by her Friends, and finding himself frustrated in his hopes, and expectations, he therefore became melancholly and discontent, so that to throw off that indisposition which this had caused, he resolved for Travel, and thereupon to France he went, where as I have told you, Venus made him some amends for the dissatisfaction he had had in England, but in time he being weary of that place, and returning home, he found his Mistress married to another, who had been more fit for a winding-sheet than so young and fair a Bride, for although he who had married her was not very old, yet he was in a deep Consumption, and thereby wholly incapacitated to please a Lady. That which made her Friends impose this Choice upon her, was his great wealth: In this condition he found her at his return, and considering the Condition she was in, he had some hopes one day of enjoying her, either as a Wife or Mistress; to this end he made some Addresses to her, but they being taken notice of by her Parents, but more especially by her Husband, she was forced to command him to forbear any more visits; with much unwillingness he did obey her, but it was but for a while, for he getting acquainted with her Chamber-maid, who was flexible enough, or easie to be made so by Gifts or Presents he bestowed on her at present, and large promises of what he would do for the future, so that in short time he won her to be at his dispose, and to betray her Masters secrets. Whereupon, when her Master was absent, she presently gave him notice of it, and perswaded her Mistress to walk abroad to such places where he was sure to meet her. She like a Woman of much vertue and constancy, for a large time held out, and would not so much as entertain any conversation with him, but in the end by his humble and amorous Letters and fervent Protestations of a vertuous love, promising her that he designed nothing against her virtue, and since he could not enjoy her Love, that he might have the first place in her esteem; she at length consented to treat with him, and now he being admitted to treat, by degrees insinuated his old love and great misfortune, he let her know his great constancy, which as it had, so it should continue with him till death, these discourses and other arguments which he us’d, were as the Bellows to blow up a flame out of the very ashes where it had long lain, so that as she could not deny but that she had formerly loved him, and that most tenderly, so she could have done so still, had she not been married, but being married, she told him she must banish all thoughts of former love: but as he had now brought her to confess a former love, so he left not off there, but by degrees perswaded her to a new friendship, not a new one, but a renewing of the old; and as friendship had been the first step to their former love, so it was now, and she in a short time confessed that as she had, so she still did love him: in fine he brought her to this pass, that she confessed she lov’d him as well as ever, and were she free to choose a Husband, she would chuse him before all the World; he having gain’d thus much upon her, by degrees proceeded further, and he promising to remain always unmarry’d, in expectation of that time, that she might be free to marry; she promised him that if ever that time came, that she would certainly marry him before all the persons in the world. At this point they continued for some moneths, and her Husbands Consumptive-distemper encreasing, there was great hopes that in short time it would send him to the other world, where he was wished to be with all earnestness. As their converse continued, so their love encreased, and he became impatient of delays, and was so bold as to desire of her the only thing she had refus’d him, but very angry she was when he first made the proposition; wherefore he was forced to forbear any further discourse of that nature, but her Husbands lingring Distemper continuing, our Lover was out of all patience, and therefore he was once again resolved to propound that to her, without the enjoyment of which, he could not be happy nor quiet, wherefore being resolv’d what to do, he was now to think how to do it, and believing that if he should begin any discourse upon a subject which she hitherto had wholly dislik’d, he should be interrupted and not heard out, and it may be she would proceed into some violent language against him, wherefore he was resolv’d to communicate his thoughts to her in writing, and there he intended to be very plain with her, whereupon he writ, and sent her this Letter.

Madam,

It is now some years since I first began to affect you, and that affection in time became so violent, that I was forc’d to discover it to you, you did not at all dislike it at first, for in little time found a tender esteem from you, which by my constancy, and perseverance was so encreas’d, that I perceiv’d you did also love me, neither were you asham’d to own the affection you had for me, but made me protestations of a love that should be lasting, and there was nothing wanting, as we thought to make us both happy, but the consent of your Parents: but that not being gained, I preferr’d your interest and quiet before my own, and not being able to live near you, and not see and love you, which by the inhumanity of your friends I was forbidden to do, I entred into a voluntary banishment, and leaving all the enjoyments and pleasures of my own Countrey, went into another, hoping in time that fortune who had been so cross to me might be more favourable, but although I staid some time in Forreign parts, and at my return heard of my misfortune, and indeed your as unfortunate marriage, yet time had not banished you out of my thoughts, I still had you perfectly in remembrance, and found that my love to you was so far from being extinguished, that it was then ready to burst out into a new flame. The obstacle of your being married and thereby of the impossibility of my attaining my ends, did not hinder me from endeavouring it, and I did so constantly persevere in my endeavours, that I brought you not only to a mute compliance, but by degrees I brought you to acknowlege that you still loved me, and that if you were ever free to chuse, I should be the happy man whom you would have for a Husband, the constancy of my affection hath wrought this miracle, but I cannot perswade you to proceed further, and this at present is the state of the matter between us. Now Madam, having done all this, I am perswaded you may yield to what I further desire of you: I know the strictness of your Virtue absolutely forbids you any thoughts, but I pray let me be plain with you, and pardon these expressions which I shall use to you, although you may judge them immodest: Madam, you have promised to make me your Husband when it is in your power, and I believe it is in your thoughts that one day you may do it, for he who is your present Husband, appears to me and all the world to be half dead already; He being in this condition, why will you not permit me to reap the fruits of a long affection? but anticipating that happy time that I hope must and will come: and Madam, besides these Reasons, I believe and hope it will be for your profit, for I understand the Condition of your marriage runs thus, that if he dies without Issue by you, then his Estate returns to his next Heir, and thereby you will be never the better for your marriage, and all this time you have spent with him, is time ill spent and lost; but if you will permit me, I hope to prevent the losing of the Estate, for I question not but there is so great a harmony in our affections, that a Child will proceed from us, and when you lose your Husband, you will not lose your Estate. This Madam, is good policy, and although in the strictness of your virtue you may not entertain any such thoughts, yet I am confident you may live to repent the not doing it, Therefore hoping that these reasons will be sufficient to over-rule you and that I offer this as much for your content as my own, I ever rest,

Your constant Lover, M. G.