so that,
when we parted, we agreed to renew our correspondence in England.
"In the midst of these agreeable amusements, which I enjoyed in almost
all the different towns of Flanders, I happened to be at Ghent one
day, sitting among a good deal of company, in one of their hotels,
when a post-chaise stopped at the gate; upon which we went to the
windows to satisfy our curiosity, when who should step out of the
convenience, but my little insignificant lord! I no sooner announced
him to the company, than all the gentlemen asked whether they
should stay and protect me, or withdraw; and when I assured them
that their protection was not necessary, one and all of them retired;
though Lord R-- M-- went no farther than the parlour below, being
determined to screen me against all violence and compulsion. I sent
a message to my lord, desiring him to walk up into my apartment; but
although his sole errand was to see and carry me off, he would not
venture to accept of my invitation, till he had demanded me in form
from the governor of the place. That gentleman, being altogether a
stranger to his person and character, referred him to the commanding
officer of the English troops, who was a man of honour, and,
upon his lordship's application, pretended to doubt his identity;
observing, that he had always heard Lord -- represented as a jolly,
corpulent man.
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