ABSTRACT
Though I resisted all idea of returning, even for an hour, to the control of Mrs Boswell, it was thought necessary, since I had been confined upon her authority and at her expence, that, before my departure, she should be informed of my recovery, and consequent dismission. After waiting impatiently the return of a message dispatched for this purpose, I learnt that Mr Boswell’s house was shut up, the whole family having removed to the country. My kind friend, Dr —, however, would not permit this to retard my departure. He undertook for Mrs Boswell’s performance of her engagement; which he said, he could easily compel, by threatening to expose her conduct. For my part, I had no doubt that she had fled from the fear of detection, and with the purpose of preventing her husband from discovering the barbarity she had practised; for I knew that it was not the love of rural life, nor even of the fashion, which could have roused Mrs Boswell to the exertion of travelling fifty miles.
