Will you go and live
with me?--I will instantly set out with you in my chariot, and not stay
half an hour longer in this house, if you'll go with me.--Now, if you are
innocent, and willing to keep so, deny me, if you can.
I am innocent, madam, replied I, and willing to keep so; and yet I cannot
consent to this. Then, said she, very mannerly, Thou liest, child,
that's all: and I give thee up!
And so she arose, and walked about the room in great wrath. Her nephew
and her woman said, Your ladyship's very good; 'tis a plain case; a very
plain case!
I would have removed the chair, to have gone out; but her nephew came and
sat in it. This provoked me; for I thought I should be unworthy of the
honour I was raised to, though I was afraid to own it, if I did not shew
some spirit; and I said, What, sir, is your pretence in this house, to
keep me a prisoner here? Because, said he--I like it.--Do you so, sir?
replied I: if that is the answer of a gentleman to such an one as I, it
would not, I dare say, be the answer of a gentleman to a gentleman.--My
lady! my lady! said he, a challenge, a challenge, by gad! No, sir, said
I, I am of a sex that gives no challenges; and you think so too, or you
would not give this occasion for the word.
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