However, his appearance was so magnificent,
that I could not harbour the least suspicion of his true quality;
and, seeing me advance, he saluted me with a very genteel bow,
observing, that though he had not the honour of my acquaintance,
he could not dispense with waiting upon me, even on that occasion,
in consequence of a letter which he had received from a particular
friend. So saying, he put a paper into my hand, intimating that he
had got a writ against me for ten thousand pounds, and that it would
be my interest to submit without resistance, for he was provided
with a guard of twenty men, who surrounded the door in different
disguises, determined to secure me against all opposition. Enraged
at the scoundrel's finesse, and trusting to the assistance of the
real footmen assembled in the hall, 'So you are a rascally bailiff,'
said I, 'who have assumed the garb of a gentleman, in order to
disturb her ladyship's company. Take this fellow, my lads, and roll
him in the kennel. Here are ten guineas for your trouble.' These
words were no sooner pronounced, than I was seized, lifted up,
placed in a chair, and carried off in the twinkling of an eye; not
but that the servants of the house, and some other footmen, made
a motion towards my rescue, and alarmed all the company above.
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