I pretended it was indifferent
to me; and so we walked into the garden. I began to talk to her of the
letter; but was far from acquainting her with all the contents; only that
he wanted my consent to come down, and hoped she used me kindly, and the
like. And I said, Now, Mrs. Jewkes, let me have your advice as to this.
Why then, said she, I will give it you freely; E'en send to him to come
down. It will highly oblige him, and I dare say you'll fare the better
for it. How the better? said I.--I dare say, you think yourself, that he
intends my ruin. I hate, said she, that foolish word, your ruin!--Why,
ne'er a lady in the land may live happier than you if you will, or be
more honourably used.
Well, Mrs. Jewkes, said I, I shall not, at this time, dispute with you
about the words ruin and honourable: for I find we have quite different
notions of both: But now I will speak plainer than ever I did. Do you
think he intends to make proposals to me as to a kept mistress, or kept
slave rather, or do you not?--Why, lambkin, said she, what dost thou
think thyself?--I fear, said I, he does. Well, said she, but if he does,
(for I know nothing of the matter, I assure you,) you may have your own
terms--I see that; for you may do any thing with him.
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