Letter XXXVIII

Summary

From Mrs. B. to Lady Davers.

My dearest Lady,

Mr. B. with great Goodness came back from Bedfordshire to his Time. Every thing being in Readiness, we set out, my Baby, and his Nurse, and Polly, and Rachel, in the Coach. Mr. B. and myself in the Chariot. The other Maids are to go down with Mrs. Jervis, when every thing in London is settled by her Direction, to Bedfordshire; and all the Men-servants too, except Mr. Jonathan, and Abraham and John, who went down with us on Horseback; as also did Mr. Colbrand.

We were met by my Father and Mother in a Chaise and Pair, that your dear Brother had, unknown to me, presented to them, that they might often take the Air together, and go to Church in it, (which is at some Distance from them) on Sundays. The Driver is cloathed in a good brown Cloth Suit, but no Livery; for that my Parents could not have borne, as Mr. B.'s Goodness made him consider.

Your Ladyship must needs think, how much we were all overjoy’d at this Meeting: For my own Part, I cannot express how much I was transported when we arrived at the Farm-house, to see all I delighted in, upon one happy Spot together!

Mr. B. is much pleased with the Alterations made here, and it is a sweet, rural, and convenient Place.

We were at Church together on Sunday, and welcom’d into these Parts by the Bells, and by the Minister, and the People of most Note.

Mr. B. is to set out on Tuesday for Tunbridge, with my Papers. A happy Issue attend that Affair, I pray God! He has given me the following Particulars of it, to the Time of my Trial, beginning at the Masquerade.

He says, That at the Masquerade, when, pleased with the fair Nun's Shape, Air, and Voice, he had followed her to a Corner most unobserved, she said, in Italian, Why aremy Retirements invaded, audacious Spaniard? Because, reply’d he, my dear Nun, I hope you would have it so.

I can no otherwise, return’d she, strike dead thy bold Presumption, than to shew thee my Scorn and Anger thus—And unmasking, she surpris’d me, said Mr. B.