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 the worst of purposes. You know something, to be
sure, of my story, my native poverty, which I am not ashamed of, my late
lady's goodness, and my master's designs upon me. It is true he promises
honour, and all that; but the honour of the wicked is disgrace and shame
to the virtuous: And he may think he keeps his promises, according to the
notions he may allow himself to hold; and yet, according to nine and
every good body's, basely ruin me.
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