However, he persisted in his importunities to such a degree, that
I assented to his proposal, on condition that the duke of L-- should
be present at the interview: and he immediately sent a message
for his grace, while I, in peace, ate my breakfast, conveyed in a
basket, which was hoisted up to the window of my bedchamber.
"The duke was so kind as to come at my lord's request, and, before
I would open the door, gave me his word, that I should be protected
from all violence and compulsion. Thus assured, they were permitted
to enter. My little gentleman, sitting down by my bedside, began
to repeat the old hackneyed arguments he had formerly used, with a
view of inducing me to live with him; and I, on my side, repeated
my former objections, or pretended to listen to his representations,
while my imagination was employed in contriving the means of
effecting an escape, as the duke easily perceived by my countenance.
"Finding all his remonstrances ineffectual, he quitted the chamber,
and left his cause to the eloquence of his grace, who sat with me
a whole half-hour, without exerting himself much in behalf of his
client, because he knew I was altogether obstinate and determined
on that score; but joked upon the behaviour of his lordship, who,
though jealous of most people, had left him alone with me in my
bedchamber, observing, that he must neither have great confidence
in his virtue, or a very bad opinion of him otherwise.
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