LETTER XXIII.
To Robert Lovelace, Esq;
Wedn. June 28. near 12 o'clock.
Honoured Sir,
I received yours, as your servant desired me to acquaint you, by ten this morning. Horse and man were in a foam.
I instantly equipped myself, as if come off from a journey, and posted away to the Lady, intending to
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plead great affairs that I came not before, in order to favour your ante-date; and likewise to be in a hurry, to have a pretence to hurry her Ladyship, and to take no denial for her giving a satisfactory return to your messenger: But, upon my entering Mrs. Sinclair's house, I found all in the greatest consternation.
You must not, Sir, be surprised. It is a trouble to me to be the relater of the bad news: But so it is---The Lady is gone off. She was missed but half an hour before I came.
Her waiting-maid is run away, or hitherto is not to be found: So that they conclude it was by her connivance.
They had sent, before I came, to my honoured masters Mr. Belton, Mr. Mowbray, and Mr. Belford. Mr. Tourville is out of town.
High words are passing between Madam Sinclair, and Madam Horton, and Madam Martin; as also with Dorcas. And your servant William threatens to hang or drown himself.
They have sent to know if they can hear of Mabell the waiting-maid at her Mother's, who it seems lives in Chick-lane, West-Smithfield; and to an Uncle of hers also, who keeps an Alehouse at Cowcross, hard-by, and with whom she lived last.
Your messenger, having just changed his horse, is come back: So I will not detain him longer than to add, that I am, with great concern for this misfortune, and thanks for your seasonable favour and kind intentions towards me [I am sure this was not my fault],
Honoured Sir,
Your most obliged humble Servant,
Patrick McDonald.