The maid, at the same time, added that she was sure this
usage of her sweet young master would be the death of his
grand-mama, as indeed it prov'd true; for the old lady, on
hearing it, did not survive the news a whole month; and as
her fortune consisted in an annuity, out of which she had
laid up no reserves, she left nothing worth mentioning to her
so fatally envied darling, but absolutely refus'd to see his
father before she died.
When Mrs. Jones return'd and I observ'd her looks, they
seem'd so unconcern'd, and even near to pleas'd, that I half
flatter'd myself she was going to set my tortur'd heart at
ease by bringing me good news; but this, indeed, was a cruel
delusion of hope: the barbarian, with all the coolness imag-
inable, stab'd me to the heart, in telling me, succinctly,
that he was sent away at least on a four years' voyage (here
she stretch'd maliciously), and that I could not expect, in
reason, ever to see him again: and all this with such pre-
nant circumstances that I could not help giving them credit,
as in general they were, indeed, too true!
She had hardly finish'd her report before I fainted
away and after several successive fits, all the while wild
and senseless, I miscarried of the dear pledge of my
Charles's love: but the wretched never die when it is
fittest they should die, and women are hard-liv'd to a
proverb.
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