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atre; but hardly was the second act concluded, before an alarm of fire was spread throughout the house; and terrified at the circumstance, I hastily requested my companion, whom in future, I shall style Mr. Belmont, to assist me to quit the playhouse as soon as possible. He endeavored

compose my fears, while he complied with my entreaties; but when we reached the lobby, it was instantly announced that some pickpockets had cried out fire, to occasion a crowd, that they might with ease commit their depredations, and that there was no other danger but from them.

"At this intelligence, we would have returned, but the concourse of people were so great, that it was impossible; the chief part crouding back to the boxes, which made it more easier to go forwards; for in attempting to return, the pressure of the people was so great, that I was nearly fainting. Mr. Belmont perceived this, and supported me as well as he was able, till

we

we got out of the theatre. It rained very hard, and feeling myself extremely ill and not a coach to be procured, he told me he was acquainted with a lady (whose name I forget) that lived very near, and if I approved it, would receive me with pleasure. I could wait there, he said, till quite recovered, and he had procured me a carriage.

"This proposal I accepted without the least reflection, and in a few minutes we arrived at a spacious house, though in what street it was situated, I am ignorant. We were shewn into an elegant drawingroom, when the spirits I had exerted to support myself, gave way, and I sunk quite senseless in a chair. Every exertion was practised to recover me, and I remember they gave me wine to drink, which not being accustomed to, made me quite giddy and my senses totally confused. The first question I asked, when I felt a little recovered, was to see the lady of the house, to apolo

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apologize for the trouble I had occasioned; but the women servants who attended me during my fainting, replied, that she was from home, and that Mr. Belmont was her intimate friend, and might command every thing in her house; and with these words and a respectful curtsey, they left me alone with him.

"They were no sooner gone, than I urged him to procure me a coach to go instantly home; but with the most insinuating persuasive language, he contrived to prolong the time; and my judgment, clouded by the indisposition I had sustained, and the wine I had drank, which obscured my intellects, I was prevailed on to remain till I had sacrificed my peace of mind, by too firm a confidence in my seducer, and reliance on his honor and the promises he made me; added to his assertions, that I could not have the least regard for him, if I hesitated to place myself entirely in his

power.

"The

"The misery that overwhelmed me when I returned home, was so acute, that I would not wish the greatest enemy to experience it. The light of day was hateful to me, and seemed to reproach my failing; and the sight of my father and the innocent Felicité, who returned full of life and spirits, (as her friend was better) unconscious of her sister's weakness, was a dagger to my heart.

"Mr. Belmont continued occasionally to visit at the house, for fear of suspicion; but his attentions to me were less marked, and he never hinted at making reparation for his conduct by marriage, though I solicited him in frequent letters, to perform his repeated promise to that effect; informing him, at the same time, I feared my disgrace could not long be concealed, as it would be unfortunately disclosed by an alteration in my person. The consequence I represented, of its reaching my father's ears, would cause the death of the MarC 2

quis

quis or himself, and inevitably destroy my existence and the unborn infant's, as I could not survive the shock of either of them being deprived of life, and myself covered with shame the wretched cause.

"In reply, Mr. Belmont said, that peculiar circumstances prevented his marrying for some years, and the best method I could pursue, was to quit my father's habitation as soon as I was apprehensive of discovery, and he would take lodgings for me in a retired situation, where I might depend on receiving all the tenderness of the fondest husband.

Distracted as this answer made me, I was obliged, however, to yield to the dreadful necessity; and from our servant being in the secret, to whom I pretended I was privately married to Mr. Belmont, and the Marquis and Felicité being wholly unsuspicious, I continued, as I am fortunately of a very slender form, to remain at home

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