repaid himself the money he had now advanced, let me have the overplus to pay my creditors, as far as it would go; for I could do very well with the diamonds I had, or without any, rather than be asked for money that was justly due. He gave me upwards of an hundred, and feemed very happy to have a depofit in his hands, worth three times the fum he had advanced. Nor was it the leaft part of his pleasure that he had made me easy at so cheap a rate. The chaife came to the door at the time it was ordered; and as my daughter was to return, the fame evening to Camden House, where she went to school, Mr. Calcraft might naturally suppose the carriage was for that purpose; but upon his obferving four horfes and a trunk behind, he remarked that this was unneeeffary for fo fhort a way. To which I replied that I was going a great way; for I proposed lying at Reading that night. And as the horfes were my own, I certainly had a right to make ufe of them. At hearing this, his colour, which was generally very florid, became in an instant pale as death. He, however, handed me to the carriage with the most calm, and apparently unaffected indifference. I then bid him adieu; We fhould never, I hoped, meet again. When I got into the chaife, the fenfations I felt could not be exceeded by thofe of a wretch reprieved from condign. punishment, Though deeply involved in in debt, and without one pleasing profpect, I never in my life experienced fuch unimbittered joy. The parting from my daughter was indeed fome abatement of it when I could collect my thoughts, but as I - intended a speedy return, I hoped foon to see her again at the school, though not at her father's. And as I was accustomed to be separated from her, it was but a momentary pang. At Salt-hill I met Mr. Fox, to whom I related the whole of what had happened. He blamed me for leaving the house before I was quite clear; and earneftly requested that I would return. He informed me that Mr. Calcraft had hinted at my having, for some time past, entertained a partiality towards another, and my quitting his house so fuddenly, he said, would tend to confirm his fufpicions. As I was conscious there was not the leaft foundation for such a furmife, it doubly incenfed me against the entertainer. of it; and determined me never to fee or hold any communication with a man, who added calumny to the irreparable injuries he had done me; and that merely to avoid paying what in justice and equity he was obligated to do. Permit me here to add to what I have already faid on this fubject, that I cannot help thinking our laws are very deficient, in not making a promise as valid as a bond.-As to myfelf, I efteem it much more binding. In the former I confider myself as obliged obliged to the person who accepts it, for placing a confidence in my honour. The fense of the obligation dwells upon my mind, and ftimulates me to the performance of it. As in love or friendship we are obliged to the persons who think us worthy of their attention; fo in a promife, I am doubly indebted to those who gave me credit for the fulfilling it. Upon my arrival at Bristol, I received a letter from Mr. Moffop, with very advantageous offers. In my answer I informed him of my promise to Mr. Woodward, which obliged me to give him the preference. And foon after I wrote to Meffrs. Woodward and Barry, to let them know that my terms would be a thousand guineas for the feafon, and two benefits. But receiving no answer from them, I accepted of Mr. Moop's propofal, upon the fame terms. That gentleman brought the agreement down to me, and the honourable Mr. Beresford was his furety. When Mr. Moffop returned to London, he thought himself so happy in the acquifition he had made to his company, that he mentioned it every where. The news foon reached Mr. Calcraft. Alarmed at it, he wrote to Lord Tyrawley, who was then at Bath, requesting that he would come over to Bristol to me, and endeavour to prevail upon me to return to him. He, at the fame time, offered me, by his Lordship, a charte blanche. My good friend, Quin, and Gene ral Honeywood, attended his Lordship in this vifit. My My Lord made use of every argument in his power, to influence me to accept of Mr. Calcraft's proposals. And my fecond father united his influence, which was not in the least abated, with that of his Lordship; but I was inflexible. I had not an opportunity of acquainting Lord Tyrawley with the real cause of this apparent obftinacy; but as the penalty of my engagement with Mossop was in the fum of two thousand pounds, I knew it was scarcely to be expected, that a man, who, inftigated by avarice, had repeatedly broken the most folemn promises, would engage to pay fuch an additional fum. But had he confented to make over to me the whole of his fortune, unless induced by my affection for my children, I would not have accepted of it. For though paffion was but a bad excuse for the unpardonable deceptions he made ufe of to get poffeffion of me, yet it was fome excuse. Whereas no palliation could be urged for his meanness, and repeated breaches of faith, in not exonerating me from my debts. This had fo deeply rooted my contempt for him, that whatever offers he could make, deserved, and received a rejection. Before Lord Tyrawley and his companions left me, Mr. Quin laid me, a wager of one hundred guineas, that I fhould not go to Ireland. Which, on his loofing |