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"While I was busy one day dressing in my dining-room, I found his
lordship at my elbow before I was aware of his approach, although
his coach was at the door, and the house already in the possession
of his servants. He accosted me in the usual style, as if we had
parted the night before; and I answered him with an appearance of
the same careless familiarity, desiring him to sit down, while I
retreated to my chamber, locked the door, and fairly went to bed;
being perhaps the first woman who went thither for protection from
the insults of a man. Here, then. I immured myself with my faithful
Abigail. My lord finding me secured, knocked at the door, and through
the keyhole begged to be admitted, assuring me that all he wanted
was a conference. I desired to be excused, though I believed his
assurance; but I had no inclination to converse with him, because
I knew from experience the nature of his conversation, which was so
disagreeable and tormenting, that I would have exchanged it at any
time for a good beating, and thought myself a gainer by the bargain.


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