Our hero having prudently submitted to the superior intelligence
of his fair enslaver, began to be harassed with the fears of losing
her for ever; and set his invention at work, to contrive some
means of indemnifying himself for his assiduities, presents, and
the disappointment he had already undergone. On pretence of enjoying
a free air, he mounted the box, and employed his elocution and
generosity with such success, that the driver undertook to disable
the diligence from proceeding beyond the town of Alost for that
day; and, in consequence of his promise, gently overturned it when
they were but a mile short of that baiting-place. He had taken
his measures so discreetly, that this accident was attended with
no other inconvenience than a fit of fear that took possession of
the ladies, and the necessity to which they were reduced by the
declaration of the coachman, who, upon examining the carriage,
assured the company that the axle-tree had given way, and advised
them to walk forward to the inn, while he would jog after them at
a slow pace, and do his endeavour the damage should be immediately
repaired.
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