ABSTRACT
As soon as Williams had received Malvina’s letter, he hastened on his journey to London; and, calling at Lady Dorset’s, he heard that Mrs. Fenwick had been gone two days; he therefore set out again instantly. When he arrived at Sir Edmond’s lodgings, he enquired, before he entered, if Mrs. Fenwick was there? that, he might, according to their agreement, receive the reward which she promised, upon the receipt of Malvina’s letter, before he spoke to his master. e vigilant Mrs. Fenwick did not allow him a moment’s suspense, as she had been every day on the watch for him; the instance she heard his voice, she ran down to meet him at the door. I have been most impatiently waiting for you, said she; give me madame de Sorcy’s letter. Go you away immediately, and pretend, that you did not arrive till early to-morrow morning, when you will be certain of nding your master at home; and, if he enquires why you carried the letter to madame de Sorcy yourself, tell him, that, as you did not nd an express, and that as Mrs. Fenwick was to take charge of the chaise herself to London, you undertook to deliver this letter, from a motive of delity. If he should express his astonishment, that Madame de Sorcy did not write to him, you can say, that having so much company (you may mention Mr. Prior as one) she had not an opportunity of answering it. Do not be the least intimidatedax at the idea of your master’s anger, in case he should ever discover that you have deceived him; Mrs. Burton and myself will answer for you, and you will be most generously rewarded. But while you wait for that, here are ve and twenty guineas. Go – get away as fast as possible, I tremble lest Sir Edmond should come in; for should he surprise us together, our plans will prove entirely abortive, and yourself ruined. He instantly obeyed,97 and she hurried up to her apartment to read Malvina’s letter.
