The Contents of this Conference, the Steward faithfully delivered to his Lord; and alfo affured him (as he was well informed) that our Hero was a Man of great Fortune and Honour. In Confequence of this Return, his Lordship immediately fent him to the Fleet, in order to found how Matters ftood with the unfortunate Settee: Who not knowing what Step the Captain had taken, could give him no further Account of his Friend, or of his Proceeding, than that he was a Gentleman, who by Chance came to the Officers where he happen'd to be carry'd, with another Prifoner fent before him; and that hearing the Story of his Misfortunes, he took Pity on him, lent him Money to fupport him, and to remove him thither, and also promised to fee Juftice done him, let the Expence, or Confequence be what it would.

CHA P. XXI.

Containing a moft surprizing and unexpected Change in all Mr. Settee's Affairs; which may be a very comfortable and ufefull Lefon for fuch Perfons as are any wife given to the dreadfull and finfull Difeafe of defponding.

HIS fimple Account from Mr. Settee to the Steward, was more weighty, than

TH

if

Book XII. if he could have told him more; because it the ftronger convinced the Lord Blaze, that, as the Gentleman was a Stranger to him, it appear'd by the bold Step he had already taken, that he muft indeed be fome Perfon of Honour and Fortune, quite difinterefted in the Affair; and therefore, in all Probability, would make no little Stir in it. And thefe Reflections determined him to put an immediate End to the Buftnefs, without any further Delay. Upon this Refolution he directed his Attorney to go to the Fleet, to Mr. Settee; and to acquaint him that he was very forry for his Misfortunes; and that the Cause of his fo long Neglect, was only owing to his Forgetfullness: But that he would the next Day, fend there and pay him three thoufand Pounds in Part of his Bill; and that the reft of it should be alfo fatisfy'd, as foon as it could be examined and fettled.

Thefe Proposals were immediately communicated to Captain Greenland, while the Agent was yet waiting; who thereupon came directly to the Fleet to them; and having reaidly approv'd of his Lordship's Commiffion, they return'd him a very obliging and polite Answer. But now Dame Fortune, being quite jaded and tired out, with her repeated Perfecutions of this poor and induftrious Man, fhe began to be ast profuse and wanton with her Favours, as fhe

had

had been before with her. Buffets. For the Lawyer had fcarce taken his Leave of them, before a Gentleman came to Mr. Settee with a Commiffion from his Wife, to wish him Joy of his Daughter's Return. Who faid he, being thoroughly fenfible of her late Folly; is now refolved, fhe fays, by her future Behaviour, to make you a full Amends for all that you have fuffer'd on her Account. Ay, Sir! faid Mr. Settee, with a Countenance fuddenly changed, but she is ftain'd! polluted! and has caft fuch a Blemish upon her Name and Family, that it never can be wash'd out.-I verily believe not, Sir, return'd the Gentleman, for I have heard her ftrictly examined touching that Point. It feems, Sir, that the Villain who carry'd her away from you, had promifed her Marriage; and that as soon as they were arrived at his own Palace in France, he would, he faid, fend for her Father and Mother to come to them ; and then furprize them with their Daughter's good Fortune and Grandure. This glaring Pretence Sir, prevail'd upon the innocent Girl to venture herself along with him; and that she might make her first Appearance in France, with fome Credit, fhe had harken'd to his repeated Hints, that she should bring what Things she could along with her for that Purpofe. All which, perhaps, contributed not a little at last to save

her;

her; for fetting off in a Poft-Chaife together pretty early in the Evening, he had neither Time nor Opportunity to attempt the Perfon of the Girl, till they arrived at Dover; nor even there, durft he trust to half an Hour's Delay; for (as he doubtlefs fufpected it would be fo) the Perfon with whom he lodged in Town, was in a clofe Pursuit of him all the Way: both for robbing his Lodgings of Plate and other Goods; befides a confiderable Debt. So that if he had wafted but the least Time, in an idle Dalliance with the Girl, he would probably have been secured by the honest Tradesman he had thus plunder'd. But this, Sir, continued the Gentlemen, happen'd to be the Cafe: when they came to Dover, the Marquiss thought firft to have fatisfy'd his Defire with the young Lady; then to have deprived her of what she had purloin'd from you, and fo to have left her behind him. But the Veffel being almoft ready to fail when they arrived; and his misfing the first Paffage out of the Kingdom, being of the utmost Danger to him; he began his Defign upon Mifs rather too rafhly or his Ends. For you must observe, he afk'd for a Bed as foon as he came into the Inn; but the Girl's Behaviour thereupon, giving the honeft Landlord fome Sufpicion of his Character, he obferved them a little nearer. And in the midst of their

Difpute,

Difpute, hearing the Girl vehemently declare against his Perfuafions, till they were lawfully marry'd, the Landlord thought proper to interpofe: and in fo fenfible a Manner was the Marquifs alarm'd thereby, that, leaft this Accident fhould impede his Paffage, and be the Means of his Discovery, he thougt proper to fneak privately on Board, with his own Baggage only, and leave your Daughter there behind him. For you must underftand, Sir, that he had not yet learnt what Things of Value the Girl had brought away with her.

About three Hours after the Paffage-Boat was fail'd for Calais came in the Marquifs's London Landlord, where he had lodged; and with a fufficient Authority for ftopping of his Honour's Return; provided that he could by any Meansbut have catch'd him. And this Gentleman hearing of the above encounter between his Lordship and Mifs (for fhe had by this Time told them who he was; and alfo unfolded the whole Burden of her Story) he defired to fee the young Lady: affuring the good Landlord, that he was very well acquainted with her Father. After they had learnt all that your Daugh. ter had to fay of this Flight; and that the had. alfo anfwer'd every Queftion which they had thought proper to demand of her, to their entire Satisfaction; they, to their unfpeakable

VOL. IV.

M

Joy,