Hitherto, indeed,
I had only taken notice of the comeliness of the youth, but
without the least design: my pride alone would have guarded
me from a thought that way, had not Mr. H . . .'s condescen-
sion with my maid, where there was not half the temptation in
point of person, set me a dangerous example; but now I began
to look on this stripling as every way a delicious instrument
of my design'd retaliation upon Mr. H . . . of an obligation
for which I should have made a conscience to die in his debt.
In order then to pave the way for the accomplishment of
my scheme, for two or three times that the young fellow came
to me with messages, I manag'd so, as without affectation to
have him admitted to my bed-side, or brought to me at my
toilet, where I was dressing; and by carelessly shewing or
letting him see, as if without meaning or design, sometimes
my bosom rather more bare than it should be; sometimes my
hair, of which I had a very fine head, in the natural flow
of it while combing; sometimes a neat leg, that had unfor-
tunately slipt its garter, which I made no scruple of tying
before him, easily gave him the impressions favourable to
my purpose, which I could perceive to sparkle in his eyes,
and glow in his cheeks: then certain slight squeezes by the
hand, as I took letters from him, did his business compleatly.
When I saw him thus mov'd, and fired for my purpose, I
inflam'd him yet more, by asking him several leading ques-
tions, such as had he a mistress? .
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