the novel fantomina

Fantomina:or,LoveinaMaze,
fromSecretHistories,Novels,andPoems
byElizaHaywood(ca.1693-1756)
London:DanBrowneandS.Chapman,1725.III,2.(2d.Ed.)
FANTOMINA:OR,LOVEinaMaze.
BEINGASecretHistoryOFANAMOURBetweenTwoPERSONSOF
CONDITION.
ByMrs.ELIZAHAYWOOD.
InLovetheVictorsfromtheVanquish’dfly.
Theyflythatwound,andtheypursuethatdye.
WALLER.
LONDON:
PrintedforD.BROWNEjun.attheBlack-Swan
withoutTemple-Bar,andS.CHAPMAN,at
theAngelinPallmall.M.DCC.XXV.
FANTOMINA:OR,LOVEinaMaze.
AYOUNGLadyofdistinguishedBirth,Beauty,Wit,andSpirit,happenedtobe
inaBoxoneNightatthePlayhouse;where,thoughtherewereagreatNumber
ofcelebratedToasts,sheperceivedseveralGentlemenextremelypleased
themselveswithentertainingaWomanwhosatinaCornerofthePit,and,byher
AirandMannerofreceivingthem,mighteasilybeknowntobeoneofthose
whocometherefornootherPurpose,thantocreateAcquaintancewithasmany
asseemdesirousofit.ShecouldnothelptestifyingherContemptofMen,who,
regardlesseitherofthePlay,orCircle,threwawaytheirTimeinsuchaManner,
tosomeLadiesthatsatbyher:Butthey,eitherlesssurprisedbybeingmore


accustomedtosuchSights,thanshewhohadbeenbredforthemostPartinthe
Country,ornotofaDispositiontoconsideranyThingverydeeply,tookbutlittle
Noticeofit.Shestillthoughtofit,however;andthelongershereflectedonit,

thegreaterwasherWonder,thatMen,someofwhomsheknewwereaccounted
tohaveWit,shouldhaveTastessoveryDepraved.-ThisexcitedaCuriosityin
hertoknowinwhatMannertheseCreatureswereaddress’d:-Shewasyoung,a
StrangertotheWorld,andconsequentlytotheDangersofit;andhavingno
BodyinTown,atthatTime,towhomshewasoblig’dtobeaccountableforher
Actions,didineveryThingasherInclinationsorHumoursrender’dmost
agreeabletoher:ThereforethoughtitnotintheleastaFaulttoputinpracticea
littleWhimwhichcameimmediatelyintoherHead,todressherselfasnearas
shecouldintheFashionofthoseWomenwhomakesaleoftheirFavours,and
setherselfintheWayofbeingaccostedassuchaone,havingatthatTimeno
otherAim,thantheGratificationofaninnocentCuriosity.—Shehadnosooner
design’dthisFrolick,thansheputitinExecution;andmufflingherHoodsover
herFace,wentthenextNightintotheGallery-Box,andpractisingasmuchas
shehadobserv’d,atthatDistance,theBehaviourofthatWoman,wasnotlong
beforeshefoundherDisguisehadanswer’dtheEndssheworeitfor:-ACrowd
ofPurchasersofallDegreesandCapacitieswereinaMomentgather’dabout
her,eachendeavouringtoout-bidtheother,inofferingheraPriceforher
Embraces.-Shelisten’dto‘emall,andwasnotalittledivertedinherMindat
theDisappointmentsheshou’dgivetosomany,eachofwhichthoughthimself
secureofgainingher.-Shewastoldby‘emall,thatshewasthemostlovely
WomanintheWorld;andsomecry’d,Gad,sheismightylikemyfineLady
Such-a-one,-namingherownName.Shewasnaturallyvain,andreceiv’dno
smallPleasureinhearingherselfprais’d,tho’inthePersonofanother,anda
suppos’dProstitute;butshedispatch’dassoonasshecou’dallthathadhitherto
attack’dher,whenshesawtheaccomplish’dBeauplaisirwasmakinghisWay
thro’theCrowdasfastashewasable,toreachtheBenchshesaton.Shehad
oftenseenhimintheDrawing-Room,hadtalk’dwithhim;butthenherQuality
andreputedVirtuekepthimfromusingherwiththatFreedomshenowexpected
hewou’ddo,andhaddiscover’dsomethinginhim,whichhadmadeheroften
thinksheshou’dnotbedispleas’d,ifhewou’dabatesomePartofhisReserve.NowwastheTimetohaveherWishesanswer’d:-Helook’dinherFace,and

fancy’d,asmanyothershaddone,thatsheverymuchresembledthatLady
whomshereallywas;butthevastDisparitythereappear’dbetweentheir
Characters,preventedhimfromentertainingeventhemostdistantThoughtthat
theycou’dbethesame.-Headdress’dheratfirstwiththeusualSalutationsof
herpretendedProfession,as,Areyouengag’d,Madam?-Willyoupermitmeto


waitonyouhomeafterthePlay?-ByHeaven,youareafineGirl!-Howlong
haveyouus’dthisHouse?-AndsuchlikeQuestions;butperceivingshehada
TurnofWit,andagenteelMannerinherRaillery,beyondwhatisfrequentlyto
befoundamongthoseWretches,whoareforthemostpartGentlewomenbutby
Necessity,fewof‘emhavinghadanEducationsuitabletowhattheyaffectto
appear,hechang’dtheFormofhisConversation,andshew’dheritwasnot
becauseheunderstoodnobetter,thathehadmadeuseofExpressionssolittle
polite.-Infine,theywereinfinitelycharm’dwitheachother:Hewas
transportedtofindsomuchBeautyandWitinaWoman,whohedoubtednotbut
onveryeasyTermshemightenjoy;andshefoundavastdealofPleasurein
conversingwithhiminthisfreeandunrestrain’dManner.Theypass’dtheir
TimeallthePlaywithanequalSatisfaction;butwhenitwasover,shefound
herselfinvolv’dinaDifficulty,whichbeforeneverenter’dintoherHead,but
whichsheknewnotwellhowtogetover.-ThePassionheprofess’dforher,was
notofthathumbleNaturewhichcanbecontentwithdistantAdorations:-He
resolv’dnottopartfromherwithouttheGratificationsofthoseDesiresshehad
inspir’d;andpresumingontheLibertieswhichhersuppos’dFunctionallow’d
off,toldhershemusteithergowithhimtosomeconvenientHouseofhis
procuring,orpermithimtowaitonhertoherownLodgings.-Neverhadshe
beeninsuchaDilemma:ThreeorfourTimesdidsheopenherMouthtoconfess
herrealQuality;buttheinfluenceofherillStarspreventedit,byputtingan
ExcuseintoherHead,whichdidtheBusinessaswell,andatthesameTimedid
nottakefromherthePowerofseeingandentertaininghimasecondTimewith

thesameFreedomshehaddonethis.-Shetoldhim,shewasunderObligations
toaManwhomaintain’dher,andwhomshedurstnotdisappoint,having
promis’dtomeethimthatNightataHousehardby.-ThisStorysolikewhat
thoseLadiessometimestell,wasnotatallsuspectedbyBeauplaisir;and
assuringherhewou’dbefarfromdoingheraPrejudice,desir’dthatinreturn
forthePainheshou’dsufferinbeingdepriv’dofherCompanythatNight,that
shewou’dorderherAffairs,soasnottorenderhimunhappythenext.Shegave
asolemnPromisetobeinthesameBoxontheMorrowEvening;andtheytook
Leaveofeachother;hetotheTaverntodrowntheRemembranceofhis
Disappointment;sheinaHackney-Chairhurry’dhometoindulge
ContemplationontheFrolickshehadtaken,designingnothinglessonherfirst
Reflections,thantokeepthePromiseshehadmadehim,andhuggingherself
withJoy,thatshehadthegoodLucktocomeoffundiscover’d.
ButtheseCogitationswerebutofashortContinuance,theyvanish’dwiththe
HurryofherSpirits,andweresucceededbyothersvastlydifferentandruinous:-


AlltheCharmsofBeauplaisircamefreshintoherMind;shelanguish’d,she
almostdy’dforanotherOpportunityofconversingwithhim;andnotallthe
AdmonitionsofherDiscretionwereeffectualtoobligehertodenylayinghold
ofthatwhichoffer’ditselfthenextNight.-ShedependedontheStrengthofher
Virtue,tobearherfatethro’Tryalsmoredangerousthansheapprehendedthisto
be,andneverhavingbeenaddress’dbyhimasLady,—wasresolv’dtoreceive
hisDevoirsasaTown-Mistress,imaginingaworldofSatisfactiontoherselfin
engaginghimintheCharacter[Page261Character]ofsuchaone,andin
observingtheSurprisehewouldbeintofindhimselfrefusedbyaWoman,who
hesupposedgrantedherFavourswithoutException.-Strangeand
unaccountableweretheWhimsiesshewaspossess’dof,-wildandincoherent
herDesires,-unfix’dandundetermin’dherResolutions,butinthatofseeing
BeauplaisirintheMannershehadlatelydone.AsforherProceedingswithhim,

orhowasecondTimetoescapehim,withoutdiscoveringwhoshewas,she
cou’dneitherassureherself,norwhitherornotinthelastExtremityshewou’d
doso.-Bent,however,onmeetinghim,whatevershou’dbetheConsequence,
shewentoutsomeHoursbeforetheTimeofgoingtothePlayhouse,andtook
lodgingsinaHousenotveryfarfromit,intending,thatifheshou’dinsiston
passingsomePartoftheNightwithher,tocarryhimthere,thinkingshemight
withmoreSecuritytoherHonourentertainhimataPlacewhereshewas
Mistress,thanatanyofhisownchusing.
THEappointedHourbeingarriv’d,shehadtheSatisfactiontofindhisLovein
hisAssiduity:Hewastherebeforeher;andnothingcou’dbemoretenderthan
theMannerinwhichheaccostedher:ButfromthefirstMomentshecamein,to
thatofthePlaybeingdone,hecontinuedtoassurehernoConsiderationshou’d
prevailwithhimtopartfromheragain,asshehaddonetheNightbefore;and
sherejoic’dtothinkshehadtakenthatPrecautionofprovidingherselfwitha
Lodging,towhichshethoughtshemightinvitehim,withoutrunningany
Risque,eitherofherVirtueorReputation.-Havingtoldhimshewou’dadmitof
hisaccompanyingherhome,heseem’dperfectlysatisfy’d;andleadingherto
thePlace,whichwasnotabovetwentyHousesdistant,wou’dhaveorder’da
Collationtobebroughtafterthem.Butshewou’dnotpermitit,tellinghimshe
wasnotoneofthosewhosuffer’dthemselvestobetreatedattheirown
Lodgings;andassoonasshewascomein,sentaServant,belongingtothe
House,toprovideaveryhandsomeSupper,andWine,andeveryThingwas
serv’dtoTableinaMannerwhichshew’dtheDirectorneitherwantedMoney,
norwasignoranthowitshou’dbelaidout.


THISProceeding,thoughitdidnottakefromhimtheOpinionthatshewaswhat
sheappearedtobe,yetitgavehimThoughtsofher,whichhehadnotbefore.Hebeliev’dheraMistress,butbeliev’dhertobeoneofasuperiorRank,and
begantoimaginethePossessionofherwouldbemuchmoreExpensivethanat
firsthehadexpected:ButnotbeingofaHumourtogrudgeanyThingforhis

Pleasures,hegavehimselfnofurtherTrouble,thanwhatwereoccasionedby
FearsofnothavingMoneyenoughtoreachherPrice,abouthim.
SUPPERbeingover,whichwasintermixedwithavastdealofamorous
Conversation,hebegantoexplainhimselfmorethanhehaddone;andbothby
hisWordsandBehaviourletherknow,hewouldnotbedeniedthatHappiness
theFreedomssheallow’dhadmadehimhope.-Itwasinvain;shewouldhave
retractedtheEncouragementshehadgiven:-Invainsheendeavouredtodelay,
tillthenextMeeting,thefulfillingofhisWishes:-Shehadnowgonetoofarto
retreat:-Hewasbold;-hewasresolute:Shefearful,-confus’d,altogether
unprepar’dtoresistinsuchEncounters,andrenderedmoreso,bytheextreme
Likingshehadtohim.-Shock’d,however,attheApprehensionofreallylosing
herHonour,shestruggledallshecould,andwasjustgoingtorevealthewhole
SecretofherNameandQuality,whentheThoughtsoftheLibertyhehadtaken
withher,andthosehestillcontinuedtoprosecute,preventedher,with
representingtheDangerofbeingexpos’d,andthewholeAffairmadeaTheme
forpublickRidicule.-Thusmuch,indeed,shetoldhim,thatshewasaVirgin,
andhadassumedthisMannerofBehaviouronlytoengagehim.Butthathelittle
regarded,orifhehad,wouldhavebeenfarfromobliginghimtodesist;-nay,in
thepresentburningEagernessofDesire,‘tisprobable,thathadhebeen
acquaintedbothwithwhoandwhatshereallywas,theKnowledgeofherBirth
wouldnothaveinfluenc’dhimwithRespectsufficienttohavecurb’dthewild
ExuberanceofhisluxuriousWishes,ormadehiminthatlonging,-that
impatientMoment,changetheFormofhisAddresses.Infine,shewasundone;
andhegain’daVictory,sohighlyrapturous,thathadheknownoverwhom,
scarcecouldhehavetriumphedmore.HerTears,however,andtheDestraction
sheappearedin,aftertheruinousExtasywaspast,asitheighten’dhisWonder,
soitabatedhisSatisfaction:-HecouldnotimagineforwhatReasonaWoman,
who,ifsheintendednottobeaMistress,hadcounterfeitedthePartofone,and
takensomuchPainstoengagehim,shouldlamentaConsequencewhichshe
couldnotbutexpect,andtillthelastTest,seem’dinclinabletogrant;andwas

bothsurpris’dandtroubledattheMystery.-Heomittednothingthathethought
mightmakehereasy;andstillretaininganOpinionthattheHopeofInteresthad
beenthechiefMotivewhichhadledhertoactintheMannershehaddone,and


believingthatshemightknowsolittleofhim,astosuppose,nowshehad
nothinglefttogive,hemightnotmakethatRecompensesheexpectedforher
Favours:ToputheroutofthatPain,hepulledoutofhisPocketaPurseofGold,
entreatinghertoacceptofthatasanEarnestofwhatheintendedtodoforher;
assuringher,withtenthousandProtestations,thathewouldsparenothing,which
hiswholeEstatecouldpurchase,toprocureherContentandHappiness.This
TreatmentmadeherquiteforgetthePartshehadassum’d,andthrowingitfrom
herwithanAirofDisdain,IsthisaReward(saidshe)forCondescensions,such
asIhaveyeildedto?-CanalltheWealthyouarepossessedof,makea
ReparationformyLossofHonour?-Oh!no,IamundonebeyondthePowerof
Heavenitselftohelpme!-SheutteredmanymoresuchExclamations;whichthe
amaz’dBeauplaisirheardwithoutbeingabletoreplyto,tillbyDegreessinking
[Page264sinking]fromthatRageofTemper,herEyesresumedtheirsoftning
Glances,andguessingattheConsternationhewasin,No,mydearBeauplaisir,
(addedshe,)yourLovealonecancompensatefortheShameyouhaveinvolved
mein;beyousincereandconstant,andIhereaftershall,perhaps,besatisfy’d
withmyFate,andforgivemyselftheFollythatbetray’dmetoyou.
BEAUPLAISIRthoughthecouldnothaveabetterOpportunitythantheseWords
gavehimofenquiringwhoshewas,andwhereforeshehadfeignedherselftobe
ofaProfessionwhichhewasnowconvinc’dshewasnot;andafterhehadmade
herthousandVowsofanAffection,asinviolableandardentasshecouldwishto
findinhim,entreatedshewouldinformhimbywhatMeanshisHappinesshas
beenbroughtabout,andalsotowhomhewasindebtedfortheBlisshehad
enjoy’d.-SomeremainsofyetunextinguishedModesty,andSenseofShame,
madeherBlushexceedinglyatthisDemand;butrecollectingherselfinalittle

Time,shetoldhimsomuchoftheTruth,astowhatrelatedtotheFrolickshe
hadtakenofsatisfyingherCuriosityinwhatMannerMistresses,oftheSortshe
appearedtobe,weretreatedbythosewhoaddressedthem;butforbore
discoveringhertrueNameandQuality,fortheReasonsshehaddonebefore,
resolving,ifheboastedofthisAffair,heshouldnothaveitinhisPowertotouch
herCharacter:ShethereforesaidshewastheDaughterofaCountryGentleman,
whowascometotowntobuyCloaths,andthatshewascall’dFantomina.He
hadnoReasontodistrusttheTruthofthisStory,andwasthereforesatisfy’dwith
it;butdidnotdoubtbytheBeginningofherConduct,butthatintheEndshe
wouldbeinReality,theThingshesoartfullyhadcounterfeited;andhadgood
NatureenoughtopitytheMisfortunesheimagin’dwouldbeherLot:Buttotell
herso,orofferhisAdviceinthatPoint,wasnothisBusiness,asleast,asyet.


THEYpartednottilltowardsMorning;andsheoblig’dhimtoawillingVowof
visitingherthenextDayatThreeintheAfternoon.Itwastoolateforhertogo
homethatNight,thereforecontentedherselfwithlyingthere.IntheMorningshe
sentfortheWomanoftheHousetocomeuptoher;andeasilyperceiving,byher
Manner,thatshewasaWomanwhomightbeinfluencedbyGifts,madehera
PresentofaCoupleofBroadPieces,anddesir’dher,thatiftheGentleman,who
hadbeentherethenightbefore,shouldaskanyQuestionsconcerningher,thathe
shouldbetold,shewaslatelycomeoutoftheCountry,hadlodg’dthereabouta
Fortnight,andthatherNamewasFantomina.Ishall(alsoaddedshe)liebut
seldomhere;nor,indeed,evercomebutinthoseTimeswhenIexpecttomeet
him:Iwould,therefore,haveyouorderitso,thathemaythinkIambutjust
goneout,ifheshouldhappenbyanyAccidenttocallwhenIamnothere;forI
wouldnot,fortheWorld,havehimimagineIdonotconstantlylodgehere.The
Landladyassur’dhershewoulddoeveryThingasshedesired,andgaveherto
understandshewantednottheGiftofSecrecy.
EVERYThingbeingorderedatthisHomefortheSecurityofherReputation,

sherepairedtotheother,wheresheeasilyexcusedtoanunsuspectingAunt,with
whomsheboarded,herhavingbeenabroadallNight,saying,shewentwitha
GentlemanandhisLadyinaBarge,toalittleCountrySeatoftheirsupthe
River,allofthemdesigningtoreturnthesameEvening;butthatoneofthe
Bargemenhapp’ningtobetakenillonthesudden,andnootherWatermantobe
gotthatNight,theywereoblig’dtotarrytillMorning.ThusdidthisLady’sWit
andVivacityassistherinall,butwhereitwasmostneedful.-Shehad
Discernmenttoforsee,andavoidallthoseIllswhichmightattendtheLossof
herReputation,butwaswhollyblindtothoseoftheRuinofherVirtue;and
havingmanagedherAffairssoastosecuretheone,grewperfectlyeasywiththe
Remembrance,[Page266Remembrance,]shehadforfeitedtheother.-The
moreshereflectedontheMeritsofBeauplaisir,themoresheexcusedherselffor
whatshehaddone;andtheProspectofthatcontinuedBlisssheexpectedto
sharewithhim,tookfromherallRemorseforhavingengagedinanAffair
whichpromisedhersomuchSatisfaction,andinwhichshefoundnottheleast
DangerofMisfortune.-Ifheisreally(saidshe,toherself)thefaithful,the
constantLoverhehassworntobe,howcharmingwillbeourAmour?-Andif
heshouldbefalse,growsatiated,likeotherMen,Ishallbut,attheworst,have
theprivateVexationofknowingIhavelosthim;-theIntreaguebeingaSecret,
myDisgracewillbesotoo:-IshallhearnoWhispersasIpass,-Sheis
Forsaken:-TheodiousWordForsakenwillneverwoundmyEars;norwillmy
WrongsexciteeithertheMirthorPityofthetalkingWorld:-Itwillnotbeeven


inthePowerofmyUndoerhimselftotriumphoverme;andwhilehelaughsat,
andperhapsdespisesthefond,theyieldingFantomina,hewillrevereand
esteemthevirtuous,thereserv’dLady.-InthisMannerdidsheapplaudherown
Conduct,andexultwiththeImaginationthatshehadmorePrudencethanallher
Sexbeside.Anditmustbeconfessed,indeed,thatshepreservedanOEconomy
inthemanagementofthisIntreague,beyondwhatalmostanyWomanbutherself

everdid:InthefirstPlace,bymakingnoPersonintheWorldaConfidentinit;
andinthenext,inconcealingfromBeauplaisirhimselftheKnowledgewhoshe
was;forthoughshemethimthreeorfourDaysinaWeek,attheLodgingshe
hadtakenforthatPurpose,yetasmuchasheemploy’dherTimeandThoughts,
shewasnevermiss’dfromanyAssemblyshehadbeenaccustomedtofrequent.TheBusinessofherLovehasengross’dhertillSixintheEvening,andbefore
Sevenshehasbeendress’dinadifferentHabit,andinanotherPlace.-Slippers,
andaNightgownlooselyflowing,hasbeentheGarbinwhichhehasleftthe
languishingFantomina;-Lac’d,andadorn’dwithalltheBlazeofJewels,has
he,inlessthananHourafter,beheldattheRoyalChapel,thePalaceGardens,
Drawing-Room,Opera,orPlay,theHaughtyAwe-InspiringLady-Athousand
Timeshashestoodamaz’dattheprodigiousLikenessbetweenhislittle
Mistress,andthisCourtBeauty;butwasstillasfarfromimaginingtheywere
thesame,ashewasthefirstHourhehadaccostedherinthePlayhouse,though
itisnotimpossible,butthatherResemblancetothiscelebratedLady,mightkeep
hisInclinationalivesomethinglongerthanotherwisetheywouldhavebeen;and
thatitwastotheThoughtsofthis(ashesupposed)unenjoy’dCharmer,sheow’d
ingreatmeasuretheVigourofhislatterCaresses.
BUThevariednotsomuchfromhisSexastobeabletoprolongDesire,toany
greatLengthafterPossession:TherifledCharmsofFantominasoonlosttheir
Poinancy,andgrewtastlessandinsipid;andwhentheSeasonoftheYear
invitingtheCompanytotheBath,sheoffer’dtoaccompanyhim,hemadean
Excusetogowithouther.Sheeasilyperceiv’dhisColdness,andtheReasonwhy
hepretendedhergoingwouldbeinconvenient,andendur’dasmuchfromthe
DiscoveryasanyofherSexcoulddo:Shedissembledit,however,beforehim,
andtookherLeaveofhimwiththeShewofnootherConcernthanhisAbsence
occasion’d:ButthisshedidtotakefromhimallSuspicionofherfollowinghim,
assheintended,andhadalreadylaidaSchemefor.-Fromherfirstfindingout
thathedesign’dtoleaveherbehind,sheplainlysawitwasfornootherReason,
thanbeingtir’dofherConversation,hewaswillingtobeatlibertytopursue
newConquests;andwiselyconsideringthatComplaints,Tears,Swooning,and

alltheExtravagancieswhichWomenmakeuseofinsuchCases,havelittle


PrevailenceoveraHeartinclin’dtorove,andonlyservetorenderthosewho
practicethemmorecontemptible,byrobbingthemofthatBeautywhichalone
canbringbackthefugitiveLover,sheresolvedtotakeanotherCourse;and
remembringtheHeightofTransportsheenjoyedwhentheagreeableBeauplaisir
kneel’datherFeet,imploringherfirstFavours,shelong’dtoprovethesame
again.NotbutaWomanofherBeautyandAccomplishmentsmighthavebeheld
aThousandinthatConditionBeauplaisirhadbeen;butwithherSex’sModesty,
shehadnotalsothrownoffanotherVirtueequallyvaluable,tho’generally
unfortunate,Constancy:ShelovedBeauplaisir;itwasonlyhewhose
SolicitationscouldgiveherPleasure;andhadsheseenthewholeSpecies
despairing,dyingforhersake,itmight,perhaps,havebeenaSatisfactiontoher
Pride,butnonetohermoretenderInclination.-HerDesignwasoncemoreto
engagehim,tohearhimsigh,toseehimlanguish,tofeelthestrenuousPressures
ofhiseagerArms,tobecompelled,tobesweetlyforc’dtowhatshewishedwith
equalArdour,waswhatshewanted,andwhatshehadform’daStratagemto
obtain,inwhichshepromis’dherselfSuccess.
SHEnosoonerheardhehadlefttheTown,thanmakingaPretencetoherAunt,
thatshewasgoingtovisitaRelationintheCountry,wenttowardsBath,
attendedbutbytwoServants,whoshefoundReasonstoquarrelwithonthe
Roadanddischarg’d:ClothingherselfinaHabitshehadbroughtwithher,she
forsooktheCoach,andwentintoaWagon,inwhichEquipageshearriv’dat
Bath.TheDressshewasin,wasaround-ear’dCap,ashortRedPetticoat,anda
littleJacketofGreyStuff;alltherestofherAccoutrementswereanswerableto
these,andjoin’dwithabroadCountryDialect,arudeunpolish’dAir,whichshe,
havingbeenbredintheseParts,knewverywellhowtoimitate,withherHair
andEye-browsblack’d,madeitimpossibleforhertobeknown,ortakenforany
otherthanwhatsheseem’d.Thusdisguis’ddidsheofferherselftoServiceinthe

HousewhereBeauplaisirlodg’d,havingmadeitherBusinesstofindout
immediatelywherehewas.NotwithstandingthisMetamorphosisshewasstill
extremelypretty;andtheMistressoftheHousehappeningatthatTimetowanta
Maid,wasverygladoftheOpportunityoftakingher.Shewaspresentlyreceiv’d
intotheFamily;andhadaPostinit(suchasshewouldhavechose,hadshebeen
leftatherLiberty,)thatofmakingtheGentlemen’sBeds,gettingthemtheir
Breakfasts,andwaitingonthemintheirChambers.FortuneinthisExploitwas
extremelyonherside;therewerenoothersoftheMale-SexintheHouse,than
anoldGentleman,whohadlosttheUseofhisLimbswiththeRheumatism,and
hadcomethitherfortheBenefitoftheWaters,andherbelov’dBeauplaisir;so
thatshewasinnoApprehensionsofanyAmorousViolence,butwhereshe


wish’dtofindit.NorwereherDesignsdisappointed:Hewasfir’dwiththefirst
Sightofher;andtho’hedidnotpresentlytakeanyfartherNoticeofher,than
givinghertwoorthreeheartyKisses,yetshe,whonowunderstoodthat
Languagebuttoowell,easilysawtheywerethePreludetomoresubstantial
Joys.-ComingthenextMorningtobringhisChocolate,ashehadorder’d,he
catch’dherbytheprettyLeg,whichtheShortnessofherPetticoatdidnotinthe
leastoppose;thenpullinghergentlytohim,ask’dher,howlongshehadbeenat
Service?-HowmanySweetheartsshehad?IfshehadeverbeeninLove?and
manyothersuchQuestions,befittingoneoftheDegreesheappear’dtobe:All
whichsheanswer’dwithsuchseemingInnocence,asmoreenflam’dthe
amorousHeartofhimwhotalk’dtoher.HecompelledhertositinhisLap;and
gazingonherblushingBeauties,which,ifpossible,receiv’dAdditionfromher
plainandruralDress,hesoonlostthePowerofcontaininghimself.-Hiswild
DesiresburstoutinallhisWordsandActions:hecall’dherlittleAngel,
Cherubim,sworehemustenjoyher,thoughDeathweretobetheConsequence,
devour’dherLips,herBreastswithgreedyKisses,heldtohisburningBosom
herhalf-yielding,half-reluctantBody,norsufferedhertogetloose,tillhehad

ravagedall,andgluttedeachrapaciousSensewiththesweetBeautiesofthe
prettyCelia,forthatwastheNamesheboreinthissecondExpedition.GenerousasLiberalityitselftoallwhogavehimJoythisway,hegavehera
handsomeSumofGold,whichshedurstnotnowrefuse,forfearofcreating
someMistrust,andlosingtheHeartshesolatelyhadregain’d;thereforetakingit
withanhumbleCurtesy,andawellcounterfeitedShewofSurpriseandJoy,
cry’d,OLaw,Sir!whatmustIdoforallthis?HelaughedatherSimplicity,and
kissingheragain,tho’lessferventlythanhehaddonebefore,badhernotbeout
oftheWaywhenhecamehomeatNight.Shepromis’dshewouldnot,andvery
obedientlykeptherWord.
HisStayatBathexceedednotaMonth;butinthatTimehissuppos’dCountry
LasshadpersecutedhimsomuchwithherFondness,thatinspiteofthe
Eagernesswithwhichhefirstenjoy’dher,hewasatlastgrownmorewearyof
her,thanhehadbeenofFantomina;whichsheperceiving,wouldnotbe
troublesome,butquittingherService,remainedprivatelyintheTowntillshe
heardhewasonhisReturn;andinthatTimeprovidedherselfofanother
DisguisetocarryonathirdPlot,whichherinventingBrainhadfurnishedher
with,oncemoretorenewhistwice-decay’dArdours.TheDressshehadorder’d
tobemade,wassuchasWidowswearintheirfirstMourning,which,together
withthemostafflictedandpenitentialCountenancethateverwasseen,wasno
smallAlterationtoherwhous’dtoseemallGaiety.-Toaddtothis,herHair,


whichshewasaccustom’dtowearveryloose,bothwhenFantominaandCelia,
wasnowty’dbacksostraight,andherPinnerscomingsoveryforward,that
therewasnoneofittobeseen.Infine,herHabitandherAirweresomuch
chang’d,thatshewasnotmoredifficulttobeknownintherudeCountryGirl,
thanshewasnowinthesorrowfulWidow.
SHEknewthatBeauplaisircamealoneinhisChariottotheBath,andinthe
TimeofherbeingServantintheHousewherehelodg’d,heardnothingofany
BodythatwastoaccompanyhimtoLondon,andhop’dhewou’dreturninthe

sameMannerhehadgone:Shethereforehir’dHorsesandaMantoattendherto
anInnabouttenMilesonthissideBath,wherehavingdischarg’dthem,she
waitedtilltheChariotshouldcomeby;whichwhenitdid,andshesawthathe
wasaloneinit,shecall’dtohimthatdroveittostopaMoment,andgoingtothe
DoorsalutedtheMasterwiththeseWords:
THEDistress’dandWretched,Sir,(saidshe,)neverfailtoexciteCompassionin
agenerousMind;andIhopeIamnotdeceiv’dinmyOpinionthatyoursissuch:
-YouhavetheAppearanceofaGentleman,andcannot,whenyouhearmy
Story,refusethatAssistancewhichisinyourPowertogivetoanunhappy
Woman,whowithoutit,mayberenderedthemostmiserableofallcreated
Beings.
ITwouldnotbeveryeasytorepresenttheSurprise,sooddanAddresscreatedin
theMindofhimtowhomitwasmade.-ShehadnottheAppearanceofonewho
wantedCharity;andwhatotherFavoursherequir’dhecou’dnotconceive:But
tellingher,shemightcommandanyThinginhisPower,gaveher
EncouragementtodeclareherselfinthisManner:Youmayjudge,(resumedshe,)
bythemelancholyGarbIamin,thatIhavelatelylostallthatoughttobe
valuabletoWomankind;butitisimpossibleforyoutoguesstheGreatnessof
myMisfortune,unlessyouhadknownmyHusband,whowasMasterofevery
PerfectiontoendearhimtoaWife’sAffections.—But,notwithstanding,Ilook
onmyselfasthemostunhappyofmySexinout-livinghim,Imustsofarobey
theDictatesofmyDiscretion,astotakecareofthelittleFortuneheleftbehind
him,whichbeinginthehandsofaBrotherofhisinLondon,willbeallcarried
offtoHolland,whereheisgoingtosettle;ifIreachnottheTownbefore[Page
272be-fore]heleavesit,Iamundoneforever.-TowhichEndIleftBristol,the
Placewhereweliv’d,hopingtogetaPlaceintheStageatBath,buttheywere
alltakenupbeforeIcame;andbeing,byaHurtIgotinaFall,render’d
incapableoftravellinganylongJourneyonHorseback,IhavenoWaytogoto

London,andmustbeinevitablyruin’dintheLossofallIhaveonEarth,without
youhavegoodNatureenoughtoadmitmetotakePartofyourChariot.
HEREthefeignedWidowendedhersorrowfulTale,whichhadbeenseveral
TimesinterruptedbyaParenthesisofSighsandGroans;andBeauplaisir,witha
complaisantandtenderAir,assur’dherofhisReadinesstoserveherinThings
ofmuchgreaterConsequencethanwhatshedesir’dofhim;andtoldher,it
wouldbeanImpossibilityofdenyingaPlaceinhisChariottoaLady,whohe
couldnotbeholdwithoutyieldingoneinhisHeart.Sheansweredthe
ComplimentshemadeherbutwithTears,whichseem’dtostreaminsuch
abundancefromherEyes,thatshecouldnotkeepherHandkerchieffromher
FaceoneMoment.BeingcomeintotheChariot,Beauplaisirsaidathousand
handsomeThingstoperswadeherfromgivingwaytosoviolentaGrief,which,
hetoldher,wouldnotonlybedistructivetoherBeauty,butlikewiseherHealth.
ButallhisEndeavoursforConsolementappear’dineffectual,andhebeganto
thinkheshouldhavebutadullJourney,intheCompanyofonewhoseem’dso
obstinatelydevotedtotheMemoryofherdeadHusband,thattherewasno
gettingaWordfromheronanyotherTheme:-Butbethinkinghimselfofthe
celebratedStoryoftheEphesianMatron,itcameintohisHeadtomakeTryal,
shewhoseem’dequallysusceptibleofSorrow,mightnotalsobesotooofLove;
andhavingbegunaDiscourseonalmosteveryotherTopick,andfindingherstill
incapableofanswering,resolv’dtoputittotheProof,ifthiswouldhaveno
moreEffecttorouzehersleepingSpirits:-WithagayAir,therefore,though
accompany’dwiththegreatestModestyandRespect,heturnedthe
Conversation,asthoughwithoutDesign,onthatJoy-givingPassion,andsoon
discover’dthatwasindeedtheSubjectshewasbestpleas’dtobeentertained
with;foronhisgivingheraHinttobeginupon,neveranyTonguerunmore
volublethanhers,ontheprodigiousPowerithadtoinfluencetheSoulsofthose
posses’dofit,toActionseventhemostdistantfromtheirIntentions,Principles,
orHumours.-Fromthatshepass’dtoaDescriptionoftheHappinessofmutual
Affection;-theunspeakableExtasyofthosewhomeetwithequalArdency;and

representeditinColourssolively,anddisclos’dbytheGestureswithwhichher
Wordswereaccompany’d,andtheAccentofherVoicesotrueaFeelingofwhat
shesaid,thatBeauplaisir,withoutbeingasstupid,ashewasreallythecontrary,
couldnotavoidperceivingtherewereSeedsofFire,notyetextinguish’d,inthis
fairWidow’sSoul,whichwantedbutthekindlingBreathoftenderSighstolight
intoaBlaze.-Henowthoughthimselfasfortunate,assomeMomentsbeforehe
hadtheReverse;anddoubtednot,but,thatbeforetheyparted,heshouldfinda
WaytodrytheTearsofthislovelyMourner,totheSatisfactionofthemboth.He


didnot,however,offer,ashehaddonetoFantominaandCelia,tourgehis
Passiondirectlytoher,butbyathousandlittlesoftningArtifices,whichhewell
knewhowtouse,gaveherleavetoguesshewasenamour’d.Whentheycameto
theInnwheretheyweretolie,hedeclar’dhimselfsomewhatmorefreely,and
perceivingshedidnotresentitpastForgiveness,grewmoreencroachingstill:HenowtooktheLibertyofkissingawayherTears,andcatchingtheSighsas
theyissuedfromherLips;tellingherifGriefwasinfectious,hewasresolv’dto
havehisShare;protestinghewouldgladlyexchangePassionswithher,andbe
contenttobearherLoadofSorrow,ifshewouldaswillinglyeasetheBurdenof
hisLove.-ShesaidlittleinanswertothestrenuousPressureswithwhichatlast
heventur’dtoenfoldher,butnotthinkingitDecent,fortheCharactershehad
assum’d,toyieldsosuddenly,andunabletodenybothhisandherown
Inclinations,shecounterfeitedafainting,andfellmotionlessuponhisBreast.HehadnogreatNotionthatshewasinarealFit,andtheRoomtheysupp’din
happeningtohaveaBedinit,hetookherinhisArmsandlaidheronit,
believing,thatwhateverherDistemperwas,thatwasthemostproperPlaceto
conveyherto.-Helaidhimselfdownbyher,andendeavour’dtobringherto
herself;andshewastoogratefultoherkindPhysicianatherreturningSense,to
removefromthePosturehehadputherin,withouthisLeave.
ITmay,perhaps,seemstrangethatBeauplaisirshouldinsuchnearIntimacies
continuestilldeceiv’d:IknowthereareMenwhowillswearitisan
Impossibility,andthatnoDisguisecouldhinderthemfromknowingaWoman

theyhadonceenjoy’d.InanswertotheseScruples,Icanonlysay,thatbesides
theAlterationwhichtheChangeofDressmadeinher,shewassoadmirably
skill’dintheArtoffeigning,thatshehadthePowerofputtingonalmostwhat
Faceshepleas’d,andknewsoexactlyhowtoformherBehaviourtothe
Charactersherepresented,thatalltheComediansatbothPlayhousesare
infinitelyshortofherPerformances:ShecouldvaryherveryGlances,tuneher
VoicetoAccentsthemostdifferentimaginablefromthoseinwhichshespoke
whensheappear’dherself.-TheseAidsfromNature,join’dtotheWilesofArt,
andtheDistancebetweenthePlaceswheretheimagin’dFantominaandCelia
were,mightverywellpreventhishavinganyThoughtthattheywerethesame,
orthatthefairWidowwaseitherofthem:Itneversomuchasenter’dhisHead,
andthoughhedidfancyheobservedintheFaceofthelatter,Featureswhich
werenotaltogetherunknowntohim,yethecouldnotrecollectwhenorwhere
hehadknownthem;-andbeingtoldbyher,thatfromherBirth,shehadnever
remov’dfromBristol,aPlacewhereheneverwas,herejectedtheBeliefof
havingseenher,andsuppos’dhisMindhadbeendeludedbyanIdeaofsome


other,whomshemighthaveaResemblanceof.
THEYpass’dtheTimeoftheirJourneyinasmuchHappinessasthemost
luxuriousGratificationofwildDesirescouldmakethem;andwhentheycameto
theEndofit,partednotwithoutamutualPromiseofseeingeachotheroften.HetoldhertowhatPlacesheshoulddirectaLettertohim;andsheassur’dhim
shewouldsendtolethimknowwheretocometoher,assoonasshewasfixed
inLodgings.
SHEkeptherPromise;andcharm’dwiththeContinuanceofhiseagerFondness,
wentnothome,butintoprivateLodgings,whenceshewrotetohimtovisither
thefirstOpportunity,andenquirefortheWidowBloomer.-Shehadnosooner
dispatchedthisBillet,thansherepair’dtotheHousewhereshehadlodg’das
Fantomina,chargingthePeopleifBeauplaisirshouldcomethere,nottolethim
knowshehadbeenoutofTown.Fromthenceshewrotetohim,inadifferent

Hand,alongLetterofComplaint,thathehadbeensocruelinnotsendingone
LettertoheralltheTimehehadbeenabsent,entreatedtoseehim,and
concludedwithsubscribingherselfhisunalterablyAffectionateFantomina.She
receivedinoneDayAnswerstoboththese.Thefirstcontain’dtheseLines:
TotheCharmingMrs.BLOOMER,
ITwouldbeimpossible,myAngel!formetoexpressthethousandthPartofthat
InfinityofTransport,theSightofyourdearLettergaveme.-NeverwasWoman
form’dtocharmlikeyou:Neverdidanylooklikeyou,-writelikeyou,-bless
likeyou;-nordideverManadoreasIdo.-SinceYesterdayweparted,Ihave
seem’daBodywithoutaSoul;andhadyounotbythisinspiringBillet,gaveme
newLife,IknownotwhatbyTo-morrowIshouldhavebeen.-Iwillbewithyou
thisEveningaboutFive:-O,‘tisanAgetillthen!-ButthecursedFormalitiesof
DutyobligemetoDinewithmyLord-whoneverrisesfromTabletillthatHour;
-thereforeAdieutillthensweetlovelyMistressoftheSoulandalltheFaculties
of
Yourmostfaithful,
BEAUPLAISIR.
TheotherwasinthisManner:
TotheLovelyFANTOMINA.


IFyouwerehalfsosensibleasyououghtofyourownPowerofcharming,you
wouldbeassur’d,thattobeunfaithfulorunkindtoyou,wouldbeamongthe
ThingsthatareintheirveryNaturesImpossibilities.-ItwasmyMisfortune,not
myFault,thatyouwerenotpersecutedeveryPostwithaDeclarationofmy
unchangingPassion;butIhadunluckilyforgottheNameoftheWomanatwhose
Houseyouare,andknewnothowtoformaDirectionthatitmightcomesafeto
yourHands.-And,indeed,theReflectionhowyoumightmisconstruemy
Silence,broughtmetoTownsomeWeekssoonerthanIintended-Ifyouknew
howIhavelanguish’dtorenewthoseBlessingsIampermittedtoenjoyinyour

Society,youwouldratherpitythancondemn
Youreverfaithful,
BEAUPLAISIR.
P.S.IfearIcannotseeyoutillTo-morrow;someBusinesshasunluckilyfallen
outthatwillengrossmyHourstillthen.-Oncemore,myDear,Adieu.
TRAYTOR!(cry’dshe,)assoonasshehadreadthem,‘tisthusoursilly,fond,
believingSexareserv’dwhentheyputFaithinMan:SohadIbeendeceiv’dand
cheated,hadIliketherestbeliev’d,andsatdownmourninginAbsence,and
vainlywaitingrecover’dTendernesses.-HowdosomeWomen,(continuedshe)
maketheirLifeaHell,burninginfruitlessExpectations,anddreamingouttheir
DaysinHopesandFears,thenwakeatlasttoalltheHorrorofDispair?-ButI
haveoutwittedeventhemostSubtleofthedeceivingKind,andwhilehethinks
tofoolme,ishimselftheonlybeguiledPerson.
SHEmadeherself,mostcertainly,extremelyhappyintheReflectiononthe
SuccessofherStratagems;andwhiletheKnowledgeofhisInconstancyand
LevityofNaturekeptherfromhavingthatrealTendernessforhimshewould
elsehavehad,shefoundtheMeansofgratifyingtheInclinationshehadforhis
agreeablePerson,inasfullaMannerasshecouldwish.ShehadalltheSweets
ofLove,butasyethadtastednoneoftheGall,andwasinaStateof
Contentment,whichmightbeenvy’dbythemoreDelicate.
WHENtheexpectedHourarriv’d,shefoundthatherLoverhadlostnopartof
theFervencywithwhichhehadpartedfromher;butwhenthenextDayshe
receiv’dhimasFantomina,sheperceiv’daprodigiousDifference;whichledher
againintoReflectionsontheUnaccountablenessofMen’sFancies,whostill


preferthelastConquest,onlybecauseitisthelast.-HerewasanevidentProof
ofit;fortherecouldnotbeaDifferenceinMerit,becausetheywerethesame
Person;buttheWidowBloomerwasamorenewAcquaintancethanFantomina,
andthereforeesteem’dmorevaluable.This,indeed,mustbesaidofBeauplaisir,

thathehadagreaterShareofgoodNaturethanmostofhisSex,who,forthe
mostpart,whentheyarewearyofanIntreague,breakitentirelyoff,withoutany
RegardtotheDespairoftheabandon’dNymph.Thoughheretain’dnomore
thanabarePityandComplaisanceforFantomina,yetbelievingshelov’dhimto
anExcess,wouldnotentirelyforsakeher,thoughtheContinuanceofhisVisits
wasnowbecomeratheraPenancethanaPleasure.
THEWidowBloomertriumph’dsomeTimelongerovertheHeartofthis
Inconstant,butatlengthherSwaywasatanEnd,andshesunkinthisCharacter,
tothesameDegreeofTastelessness,asshehaddonebeforeinthatofFantomina
andCelia.-Shepresentlyperceiv’dit,butboreitasshehadalwaysdone;it
beingbutwhatsheexpected,shehadprepar’dherselfforit,andhadanother
Projectinembrio,whichshesoonripen’dintoAction.Shedidnot,indeed,
compleatitaltogethersosuddenlyasshehaddonetheothers,byreasonthere
mustbePersonsemploy’dinit;andtheAversionshehadtoanyConfidentsin
herAffairs,andtheCautionwithwhichshehadhithertoacted,andwhichshe
wasstilldetermin’dtocontinue,madeitverydifficultforhertofindaWay
withoutbreakingthro’thatResolutiontocompasswhatshewish’d.-Shegot
overtheDifficultyatlast,however,byproceedinginaManner,ifpossible,more
extraordinarythanallherformerBehaviour:-MufflingherselfupinherHood
oneDay,shewentintotheParkabouttheHourwhenthereareagreatmany
necessitousGentlemen,whothinkthemselvesabovedoingwhattheycalllittle
ThingsforaMaintenance,walkingintheMall,totakeaCamelionTreat,andfill
theirStomachswithAirinsteadofMeat.Twoofthose,whobytheir
PhysiognomyshethoughtmostproperforherPurpose,shebeckon’dtocometo
her;andtakingthemintoaWalkmoreremotefromCompany,beganto
communicatetheBusinessshehadwiththemintheseWords:Iamsensible,
Gentlemen,[Page279Gentlemen,](saidshe,)that,throughtheblindnessof
Fortune,andPartialityoftheWorld,Meritfrequentlygoesunrewarded,andthat
thoseofthebestPretentionsmeetwiththeleastEncouragement:-Iaskyour
Pardon,(continuedshe,)perceivingtheyseem’dsurpris’d,ifIammistakenin

theNotion,thatyoutwomay,perhaps,beoftheNumberofthosewhohave
ReasontocomplainoftheInjusticeofFate;butifyouaresuchasItakeyoufor,
haveaProposaltomakeyou,whichmaybeofsomelittleAdvantagetoyou.
NeitherofthemmadeanyimmediateAnswer,butappear’dbury’din


ConsiderationforsomeMoments.Atlength,Weshould,doubtless,Madam,
(saidoneofthem,)willinglycomeintoanyMeasurestoobligeyou,provided
theyaresuchasmaybringusintonoDanger,eitherastoourPersonsor
Reputations.ThatwhichIrequireofyou,(resumedshe,)hasnothinginit
criminal:AllthatIdesireisSecrecyinwhatyouareintrusted,andtodisguise
yourselvesinsuchaMannerasyoucannotbeknown,ifhereafterseenbythe
Persononwhomyouaretoimpose.-Infine,theBusinessisonlyaninnocent
Frolick,butifblaz’dabroad,mightbetakenfortoogreataFreedominme:Therefore,ifyouresolvetoassistme,herearefivePiecestoDrinkmyHealth,
andassureyou,thatIhavenotdiscours’dyouonanAffair,Idesignnotto
proceedin;andwhenitisaccomplish’dfiftymoreliereadyforyour
Acceptance.TheseWords,and,aboveall,theMoney,whichwasaSumwhich,
‘tisprobable,theyhadnotseenofalongTime,madethemimmediatelyassentto
allshedesir’d,andpressfortheBeginningoftheirEmployment:Butthings
werenotyetripeforExecution;andshetoldthem,thatthenextDaytheyshould
beletintotheSecret,chargingthemtomeetherinthesamePlaceatanhourshe
appointed.‘Tishardtosay,whichofthesePartieswentawaybestpleas’d;they,
thatFortunehadsentthemsounexpectedaWindfall;orshe,thatshehadfound
Persons,whoappearedsowellqualifiedtoserveher.
INDEFATIGABLEinthePursuitofwhatsoeverherHumourwasbentupon,she
hadnosoonerlefthernew-engag’dEmissaries,thanshewentinsearchofa
HouseforthecompleatingherProject.-Shepitch’dononeverylarge,and
magnificentlyfurnished,whichshehir’dbytheWeek,givingthemtheMoney
before-hand,topreventanyInquiries.ThenextDaysherepairedtothePark,
whereshemetthepunctual‘SquiresoflowDegree;andorderingthemtofollow

hertotheHouseshehadtaken,toldthemtheymustcondescendtoappearlike
Servants,andgaveeachofthemaveryrichLivery.ThenwritingaLetterto
Beauplaisir,inaCharactervastlydifferentfromeitherofthoseshehadmade
useof,asFantomina,orthefairWidowBloomer,order’doneofthemtodeliver
itintohisownHands,tobringbackanAnswer,andtobecarefulthathesifted
outnothingoftheTruth.-Idonotfear,(saidshe,)thatyoushoulddiscoverto
himwhoIam,becausethatisaSecret,ofwhichyouyourselvesareignorant;
butIwouldhaveyoubesocarefulinyourReplies,thathemaynotthinkthe
ConcealmentspringsfromanyotherReasonsthanyourgreatIntegritytoyour
Trust.-SeemthereforetoknowmywholeAffairs;andletyourrefusingtomake
himPartakerintheSecret,appeartobeonlytheEffectofyourZealformy
InterestandReputation.PromisesofentireFidelityontheoneside,andReward
ontheother,beingpast,theMessengermadewhathastehecouldtotheHouse


ofBeauplaisir;andbeingtheretoldwherehemightfindhim,perform’dexactly
theInjunctionthathadbeengivenhim.ButneverAstonishmentexceedingthat
whichBeauplaisirfeltatthereadingthisBillet,inwhichhefoundtheseLines:
TotheAll-conqueringBEAUPLAISIR.
Iimaginenotthat‘tisanewThingtoyou,tobetold,youarethegreatestCharm
inNaturetoourSex:Ishalltherefore,nottofillupmyLetterwithany
impertinentPraisesonyourWitorPerson,onlytellyou,thatIaminfinitein
Lovewithboth,andifyouhaveaHeartnottoodeeplyengag’d,shouldthink
myselfthehappiestofmySexinbeingcapableofinspiringitwithsome
Tenderness.-ThereisbutoneThinginmyPowertorefuseyou,whichisthe
KnowledgeofmyName,whichbelievingtheSightofmyFacewillrenderno
Secret,youmustnottakeitillthatIconcealfromyou.-TheBearerofthisisa
PersonIcantrust;sendbyhimyourAnswer;butendeavournottodiveintothe
MeaningofthisMystery,whichwillbeimpossibleforyoutounravel,andatthe
sameTimeverymuchdisobligeme:-ButthatyoumaybeinnoApprehensions

ofbeingimpos’donbyaWomanunworthyofyourRegard,Iwillventureto
assureyou,thefirstandgreatestMenintheKingdom,wouldthinkthemselves
blesttohavethatInfluenceovermeyouhave,thoughunknowntoyourself
acquir’d.-ButIneednotgoabouttoraiseyourCuriosity,bygivingyouany
IdeaofwhatmyPersonis;ifyouthinkfittobesatisfied,resolvetovisitmeTomorrowaboutThreeintheAfternoon;andthoughmyFaceishid,youshallnot
wantsufficientDemonstration,thatshewhotakestheseunusualMeasuresto
commenceaFriendshipwithyou,isneitherOld,norDeform’d.TillthenIam,
Yours,
INCOGNITA.
HEhadscarcecometotheConclusion,beforeheask’dthePersonwhobrought
it,fromwhatPlacehecame;-theNameoftheLadyheserv’d;-ifshewerea
Wife,orWidow,andseveralotherQuestionsdirectlyoppositetotheDirections
oftheLetter;butSilencewouldhaveavail’dhimasmuchasdidallthose
TestimoniesofCuriosity:NoItalianBravo,employ’dinaBusinessofthelike
Nature,perform’dhisOfficewithmoreArtifice;andtheimpatientEnquirerwas
convinc’dthatnothingbutdoingashewasdesir’d,couldgivehimanyLight
intotheCharacteroftheWomanwhodeclar’dsoviolentaPassionforhim;and
littlefearinganyConsequencewhichcouldensuefromsuchanEncounter,


resolv’dtorestsatisfy’dtillhewasinform’dofeveryThingfromherself,not
imaginingthisIncognitavariedsomuchfromtheGeneralityofherSex,astobe
abletorefusetheKnowledgeofanyThingtotheManshelov’dwiththat
TranscendencyofPassionsheprofess’d,andwhichhismanySuccesseswiththe
LadiesgavehimEncouragementenoughtobelieve.HethereforetookPenand
Paper,andanswer’dherLetterintermstenderenoughforaManwhohadnever
seenthePersontowhomhewrote.TheWordswereasfollows:


TotheObligingandWitty

INCOGNITA.
ThoughtotellmeIamhappyenoughtobelik’dbyaWoman,such,asbyyour
MannerofWriting,Iimagineyoutobe,isanHonourwhichIcannever
sufficientlyacknowledge,yetIknownothowIamabletocontentmyselfwith
admiringtheWondersofyourWitalone:Iamcertain,aSoullikeyoursmust
shineinyourEyeswithaVivacity,whichmustblessalltheylookon.-Ishall,
however,endeavourtorestrainmyselfintheseBoundsyouarepleas’dtosetme,
tillbytheKnowledgeofmyinviolableFedility,Imaybethoughtworthyof
gazingonthatHeavenIamnowbuttoenjoyinContemplation.-Youneednot
doubtmygladCompliancewithyourobligingSummons:[page283]Thereisa
CharminyourLines,whichgivestoosweetanIdeaoftheirlovelyAuthortobe
resisted.-IamallimpatientfortheblissfulMoment,whichistothrowmeat
yourFeet,andgivemeanOpportunityofconvincingyouthatIam,
YoureverlastingSlave,
BEAUPLAISIR.
NOTHINGcouldbemorepleas’dthanshe,towhomitwasdirected,atthe
ReceiptofthisLetter;butwhenshewastoldhowinquisitivehehadbeen
concerningherCharacterandCircumstances,shecouldnotforbearlaughing
heartilytothinkoftheTricksshehadplay’dhim,andapplaudingherown
StrengthofGenius,andForceofResolution,whichbysuchunthought-ofWays
couldtriumphoverherLover’sInconstancy,andrenderthatveryTemper,which
tootherWomenisthegreatestCurse,aMeanstomakeherselfmorebless’d.Hadhebeenfaithfultome,(saidshe,toherself,)eitherasFantomina,orCelia,
ortheWidowBloomer,themostviolentPassion,ifitdoesnotchangeitsObject,
inTimewillwither:PossessionnaturallyabatestheVigourofDesire,andI
shouldhavehad,atbest,butacold,insipid,husband-likeLoverinmyArms;but
bytheseArtsofpassingonhimasanewMistresswhenevertheArdour,which
alonemakesLoveaBlessing,beginstodiminish,fortheformerone,Ihavehim
alwaysraving,wild,impatient,longing,dying.-OthatallneglectedWives,and
fondabandon’dNymphswouldtakethisMethod!-Menwouldbecaughtin
theirownSnare,andhavenoCausetoscornoureasy,weeping,wailingSex!

ThusdidsheprideherselfasifsecureshenevershouldhaveanyReasonto


repentthepresentGaietyofherHumour.TheHourdrawingnearinwhichhe
wastocome,shedress’dherselfinasmagnificentaManner,asifsheweretobe
thatNightataBallatCourt,endeavouringtorepairthewantofthoseBeauties
whichtheVizardshouldconceal,bysettingforththeotherswiththegreatest
CareandExactness.HerfineShape,andAir,andNeck,appear’dtogreat
Advantage;andbythatwhichwastobeseenofher,onemightbelievetherestto
beperfectlyagreeable.Beauplaisirwasprodigiouslycharm’d,aswellwithher
Appearance,aswiththeMannersheentertain’dhim:Butthoughhewaswild
withImpatiencefortheSightofaFacewhichbelong’dtosoexquisiteaBody,
yethewouldnotimmediatelypressforit,believingbeforeheleftherheshould
easilyobtainthatSatisfaction.-AnobleCollationbeingover,hebegantosue
forthePerformanceofherPromiseofgrantingeveryThinghecouldask,
exceptingtheSightofherFace,andKnowledgeofherName.Itwouldhave
beenaridiculousPieceofAffectioninhertohaveseem’dcoyincomplying
withwhatsheherselfhadbeenthefirstindesiring:Sheyieldedwithoutevena
ShewofReluctance:AndiftherebeanytrueFelicityinanArmoursuchas
theirs,bothhereenjoy’dittothefull.ButnotintheHeightofalltheirmutual
Raptures,couldheprevailonhertosatisfyhisCuriositywiththeSightofher
Face:Shetoldhimthatshehop’dheknewsomuchofher,asmightserveto
convincehim,shewasnotunworthyofhistenderestRegard;andifhecou’dnot
contenthimselfwiththatwhichshewaswillingtoreveal,andwhichwasthe
Conditionsoftheirmeeting,dearashewastoher,shewouldratherpartwith
himforever,thanconsenttogratifyanInquisitiveness,which,inherOpinion,
hadnoBusinesswithhisLove.Itwasinvainthatheendeavour’dtomakeher
sensibleofherMistake;andthatthisRestraintwasthegreatestEnemy
imaginabletotheHappinessofthemboth:Shewasnottobeperswaded,andhe
wasoblig’dtodesisthisSolicitations,thoughdetermin’dinhisMindtocompass

whathesoardentlydesir’d,beforehelefttheHouse.Hethenturnedthe
DiscoursewhollyontheViolenceofthePassionhehadforher;andexpress’d
thegreatestDiscontentintheWorldattheApprehensionsofbeingseparated;sworehecoulddwellforeverinherArms,andwithsuchanundeniable
EarnestnesspressedtobepermittedtotarrywithherthewholeNight,thathad
shebeenlesscharm’dwithhisrenew’dEagernessofDesire,shescarcewould
havehadthePowerofrefusinghim;butingrantingthisRequest,shewasnot
withoutaThoughtthathehadanotherReasonformakingitbesidesthe
ExtremityofhisPassion,andhaditimmediatelyinherHeadhowtodisappoint
him.
THEHoursofReposebeingarriv’d,hebegg’dshewouldretiretoherChamber;


towhichsheconsented,butoblig’dhimtogotoBedfirst;whichhedidnot
muchoppose,becausehesuppos’dshewouldnotlieinherMask,anddoubted
notbuttheMorning’sDawnwouldbringthewish’dDiscovery.-Thetwo
imagin’dServantsusher’dhimtohisnewLodging;wherehelaysomeMoments
inallthePerplexityimaginableattheOddnessofthisAdventure.Butshe
suffer’dnottheseCogitationstobeofanylongContinuance:Shecame,but
cameintheDark;whichbeingnomorethanheexpectedbytheformerPartof
herProceedings,hesaidnothingof;butasmuchSatisfactionashefoundinher
Embraces,nothingeverlong’dfortheApproachofDaywithmoreImpatience
thanhedid.Atlastitcame;buthowgreatwashisDisappointment,whenbythe
NoisesheheardintheStreet,thehurryoftheCoaches,andtheCriesofPennyMerchants,hewasconvinc’ditwasNightnowherebutwithhim?Hewasstill
inthesameDarknessasbefore;forshehadtakencaretoblindtheWindowsin
suchamanner,thatnottheleastChinkwaslefttoletintheDay.-He
complain’dofherBehaviourinTermsthatshewouldnothavebeenableto
resistyieldingto,ifshehadnotbeencertainitwouldhavebeentheRuinofher
Passion:-She,therefore,answeredhimonlyasshehaddonebefore;andgetting
outoftheBedfromhim,flewoutoftheRoomwithtoomuchSwiftnessforhim
tohaveovertakenher,ifhehadattemptedit.TheMomentshelefthim,thetwo

Attendantsenter’dtheChamber,andpluckingdowntheImplementswhichhad
skreen’dhimfromtheKnowledgeofthatwhichhesomuchdesir’dtofindout,
restoredhisEyesoncemoretoDay:-TheyattendedtoassisthiminDressing,
broughthimTea,andbytheirObsequiousness,lethimseetherewasbutone
ThingwhichtheMistressofthemwouldnotgladlyobligehimin.-Hewasso
muchoutofHumour,however,attheDisappointmentofhisCuriosity,thathe
resolv’dnevertomakeasecondVisit.-FindingherinanouterRoom,hemade
noScruplesofexpressingtheSensehehadofthelittleTrustshereposedinhim,
andatlastplainlytoldher,hecouldnotsubmittoreceiveObligationsfroma
Lady,whothoughthimuncapableofkeepingaSecret,whichshemadeno
DifficultyoflettingherServantsinto.-Heresented,-heoncemoreentreated,hesaidallthatMancoulddo,toprevailonhertounfoldtheMystery;butallhis
Adjurationswerefruitless;andhewentoutoftheHousedetermin’dnevertoreenterit,tillsheshouldpaythePriceofhisCompanywiththeDiscoveryofher
FaceandCircumstances.-Shesuffer’dhimtogowiththisResolution,and
doubtednotbuthewouldrecedefromit,whenhereflectedonthehappy
Momentstheyhadpass’dtogether;butifhedidnot,shecomfortedherselfwith
theDesignofformingsomeotherStratagem,withwhichtoimposeonhima
fourthTime.


SHEkepttheHouse,andherGentlemen-EquipageforaboutaFortnight,in
whichTimeshecontinu’dtowritetohimasFantominaandtheWidow
Bloomer,andreceivedtheVisitshesometimesmadetoeach;buthisBehaviour
tobothwasgrownsocold,thatshebegantogrowaswearyofreceivinghisnow
insipidCaressesashewasofofferingthem:Shewasbeginningtothinkinwhat
MannersheshoulddropthesetwoCharacters,whenthesuddenArrivalofher
Mother,whohadbeensomeTimeinaforeignCountry,oblig’dhertoputan
immediateStoptotheCourseofherwhimsicalAdventures.-ThatLady,who
wasseverelyvirtuous,didnotapproveofmanyThingsshehadbeentoldofthe
ConductofherDaughter;andthoughitwasnotinthePowerofanyPersonin
theWorldtoinformheroftheTruthofwhatshehadbeenguiltyof,yetshe

heardenoughtomakeherkeepherafterwardsinaRestraint,littleagreeableto
herHumour,andtheLibertiestowhichshehadbeenaccustomed.
BUTthisConfinementwasnotthegreatestPartoftheTroubleofthisnow
afflictedLady:ShefoundtheConsequencesofheramorousFollieswouldbe,
withoutalmostaMiracle,impossibletobeconcealed:-ShewaswithChild;and
thoughshewouldeasilyhavefoundMeanstohaveskreen’deventhisfromthe
KnowledgeoftheWorld,hadshebeenatlibertytohaveactedwiththesame
unquestionableAuthorityoverherself,asshedidbeforethecomingofher
Mother,yetnowallherInventionwasataLossforaStratagemtoimposeona
WomanofherPenetration:-Byeatinglittle,lacingprodigiousstrait,andthe
AdvantageofagreatHoop-Petticoat,however,herBignesswasnottakennotice
of,and,perhaps,shewouldnothavebeensuspectedtilltheTimeofhergoing
intotheCountry,whereherMotherdesign’dtosendher,andfromwhenceshe
intendedtomakeherescapetosomePlacewhereshemightbedeliveredwith
Secrecy,iftheTimeofithadnothappen’dmuchSoonerthansheexpected.-A
BallbeingatCourt,thegoodOldLadywaswillingsheshouldpartakeofthe
DiversionofitasaFareweltotheTown.-Itwasthereshewasseiz’dwiththose
Pangs,whichnoneinherConditionareexemptfrom:-Shecouldnotconceal
thesuddenRackwhichallatonceinvadedher;orhadherTonguebeenmute,
herwildlyrollingEyes,theDistortionofherFeatures,andtheConvulsions
[Page288Convulsions]whichshookherwholeFrame,inspiteofher,would
havereveal’dshelabour’dundersometerribleShockofNature.-EveryBody
wassurpris’d,everyBodywasconcern’d,butfewguessedattheOccasion.-Her
Mothergriev’dbeyondExpression,doubtednotbutshewasstructwiththe
HandofDeath;andorder’dhertobecarriedHomeinaChair,whileherself
follow’dinanother.-APhysicianwasimmediatelysentfor:Buthewas
presentlyperceivingwhatwasherDistemper,call’dtheoldLadyaside,andtold


her,itwasnotaDoctorofhisSex,butoneofherown,herDaughterstoodin

needof.-NeverwasAstonishmentandHorrorgreaterthanthatwhichseiz’dthe
SoulofthisafflictedParentattheseWords:ShecouldnotforaTimebelievethe
Truthofwhatsheheard;butheinsistingonit,andconjuringhertosendfora
Midwife,shewasatlengthconvinc’difit.-AllthePityandTendernessshehad
beenforsomeMomentbeforepossess’dof,nowvanish’d,andweresucceeded
byanadequateShameandIndignation:-SheflewtotheBedwhereher
Daughterwaslying,andtellingherwhatshehadbeeninform’dof,andwhich
shewasnowfarfromdoubting,commandedhertorevealtheNameofthe
PersonwhoseInsinuationshaddrawnhertothisDishonour.-Itwasagreat
whilebeforeshecouldbebroughttoconfessanyThing,andmuchlongerbefore
shecouldbeprevailedontonametheManwhomshesofatallyhadlov’d;but
theRackofNaturegrowingmorefierce,andtheenragedoldLadyprotestingno
HelpshouldbeaffordedherwhileshepersistedinherObstinacy,she,withgreat
DifficultyandHesitationinherSpeech,atlastpronounc’dtheNameof
Beauplaisir.Shehadnosoonersatisfy’dherweepingMother,thanthat
sorrowfulLadysentMessengersatthesameTime,foraMidwife,andforthat
Gentlemanwhohadoccasion’dtheother’sbeingwanted.-Hehappen’dby
Accidenttobeathome,andimmediatelyobey’dtheSummons,though
prodigiouslysurpris’dwhatBusinessaLadysomuchaStrangertohimcould
havetoimpart.-ButhowmuchgreaterwashisAmazement,whentakinghim
intoherCloset,shethereacquaintedhimwithherDaughter’sMisfortune,ofthe
Discoveryshehadmade,andhowfarhewasconcern’dinit?-AlltheIdeaone
canformofwildAstonishment,wasmeantowhathefelt:-Heassur’dher,that
theyoungLadyherDaughterwasaPersonwhohehadnever,morethanata
Distance,admir’d:-Thathehadindeed,spoketoherinpublickCompany,but
thatheneverhadaThoughtwhichtendedtoherDishonour.-HisDenials,if
possible,addedtotheIndignationshewasbeforeenflam’dwith:-Shehadno
longerPatience;andcarryinghimintotheChamber,whereshewasjust
deliver’dofafineGirl,cry’dout,Iwillnotbeimpos’don:TheTruthbyoneof
youshallbereveal’d.—BeauplaisirbeingbroughttotheBedside,was

beginningtoaddresshimselftotheLadyinit,tobegshewouldclearthe
MistakeherMotherwasinvolv’din;whenshe,coveringherselfwiththe
Cloaths,andreadytodieasecondTimewiththeinwardAgitationsofherSoul,
shriek’dout,Oh,Iamundone!-Icannotlive,andbearthisShame!-Buttheold
LadybelievingthatnoworneverwastheTimetodiveintotheBottomofthis
Mystery,forcinghertorearherHead,toldher,sheshouldnothopetoEscapethe
ScrutinyofaParentshehaddishonour’dinsuchaManner,andpointingto
Beauplaisir,IsthistheGentleman,(saidshe,)towhomyouoweyourRuin?or