Well, said she, but dost not think I am concerned, that a young wench,
whom my poor dear mother loved so well, should thus cast herself away,
and suffer herself to be deluded and undone, after such a noble stand as
thou madst for so long a time?
I think myself far from being deluded and undone, and am as innocent and
virtuous as ever I was in my life.
Thou liest, child, said she. So your ladyship told me twice before.
She gave me a slap on the hand for this; and I made a low courtesy, and
said, I humbly thank your ladyship! but I could not refrain tears: And
added, Your dear brother, madam, however, won't thank your ladyship for
this usage of me, though I do. Come a little nearer me, my dear, said
she, and thou shalt have a little more than that to tell him of, if thou
think'st thou hast not made mischief enough already between a sister and
brother. But, child, if he was here, I would serve thee worse, and him
too. I wish he was, said I.--Dost thou threaten me, mischief-maker, and
insolent as thou art? Now, pray, madam, said I, (but got to a little distance,) be pleased to
reflect upon all that you have said to me, since I have had the honour,
or rather misfortune, to come into your presence; whether you have said
one thing befitting your ladyship's degree to me, even supposing I was
the wench and the creature you imagine me to be?--Come hither, my pert
dear, replied she, come but within my reach for one moment, and I'll
answer thee as thou deservest.
To be sure she meant to box my ears. But I should not be worthy my happy
lot if I could not shew some spirit.
When the cloth was taken away, I said, I suppose I may now depart your
presence, madam? I suppose not, said she. Why, I'll lay thee a wager,
child, thy stomach's too full to eat, and so thou may'st fast till thy
mannerly master comes home.
Pray your ladyship, said her woman, let the poor girl sit down at table
with Mrs. Jewkes and me.--Said I, You are very kind, Mrs. Worden; but
times, as you said, are much altered with me; and I have been of late so
much honoured with better company, that I can't stoop to yours.
Was ever such confidence! said my lady.--Poor Beck! poor Beck! said her
kinsman; why she beats you quite out of the pit!--Will your ladyship,
said I, be so good as to tell me how long I am to tarry? For you'll
please to see by that letter, that I am obliged to attend my master's
commands. And so I gave her the dear gentleman's letter from Mr.
Carlton's, which I thought would make her use me better, as she might
judge by it of the honour done me by him. Ay, said she, this is my
worthy brother's hand. It is directed to Mrs. Andrews. That's to you, I
suppose, child? And so she ran on, making remarks as she went along, in
this manner: