In the mean time, that solitary fair-one was alarmed by a fear of a very unaccountable nature; for being in the evening in her closet, the windows of which had a prospect of the gardens, she saw her illustrious concealed lover, who went by the name of Edward, while he was in her father's service, talking with great emotion to her house-steward, who seemed earnestly to listen to some propositions he was making to him. Her surprise at this sight was so great, that she had not power to observe them any longer; but, seating herself in her chair, she had just spirits enough to call Lucy to her assistance; who, extremely frighted at the pale looks of her lady, gave her a smelling-bottle, and was preparing to cut her lace, when Arabella, preventing her, told her in a low voice, that she feared she should be betrayed into the hands of an insolent lover, who was come to steal her away. Yes, added she with great emotion, I have seen this presumptuous man holding a conversation with one of my servants; and though I could not possibly, at this distance, hear their discourse, yet the gestures they used in speaking explained it too well to me; and I have reason to expect, I shall suffer the same violence that many illustrious ladies have done before me; and be carried away by force from my own house, as they were.
Alas! madam! said Lucy, terrified at this discourse, who is it that intends to carry your ladyship away? Sure no robbers will attempt any mischief at such a time as this!
Yes, Lucy, replied Arabella, with great gravity, the worst kind of robbers; robbers who do not prey upon gold and jewels, but, what is infinitely more precious, liberty and honour. Do you know that person who called himself Edward, and worked in these gardens like a common gardener, is now in the house, corrupting my servants; and, questionless, preparing to force open my chamber, and carry me away? And Heaven knows when I shall be delivered from his chains!
God forbid, said Lucy, sobbing, that ever such a lady should have such hard hap! What crime, I wonder, can you be guilty of, to deserve to be in chains?
My crime, resumed Arabella, is to have attractions which expose me to these inevitable misfortunes, which even the greatest princesses have not escaped.—But, dear Lucy, can you not think of some methods by which I may avoid the evil which waits me? Who knows but that he may, within these few moments, force a passage into my apartment? These slight locks can make but a poor resistance to the violence he will be capable of using.
Oh, dear madam! cried Lucy, trembling, and pressing near her, what shall we do?
I asked your advice, said she; but I perceive you are less able than myself to think of any thing to save me.—Ah! Glanville, pursued she, sighing, would to Heaven thou wert here now!
Yes, madam, said Lucy, Mr. Glanville, I am sure, would not suffer any one to hurt your ladyship.
As thou valuest my friendship, said Arabella, with great earnestness, never acquaint him with what has just now escaped my lips. True, I did call upon him in this perplexity; I did pronounce his name; and that, haply, with a sigh, which involuntarily forced its way: and, questionless, if he knew his good fortune, even amidst the danger of losing me for ever, he would resent some emotions of joy: but I should die with shame at having so indiscreetly contributed to his satisfaction: and, therefore, again I charge you, conceal, with the utmost care, what I have said.