Part 3 (1/2)

The person against whoe at his presureat ani was more easily supported than the character of a Zoilus, because no production was altogether free froainst any piece by the lu his own discernment; but to perceive the beauties of a work, it was requisite to have learning, judgentlereat many in the composition which he so contemptuously decried A rejoinder succeeded this reply, and produced a long train of altercation, in which the gentleman, who had formerly treated the book with such disrespect, now professed himself its passionate adreat war exhibited this instance of regard, he next , that he had but superficially glanced over theit a second tied in this request, he recommended it in terms of rapture to all his friends and dependants, and, by dint of unwearied solicitation, procured a very ample subscription for the author

But, to resume the thread of our story Teresa's practices were not confined to simple defamation Her reproaches were contrived so as to ience in favour of the person she reviled In exeance, she repeated his witty repartee; on pretence of bla his ferocity, she recounted proofs of his spirit and prowess; and, in explaining the source of his vanity, gave herlady of fashi+on was said to be enamoured of his person Nor did this well-instructed understrapper oed necessary for the furtherance of his scheuarded, and took a freer turn than usual; she seized all opportunities of introducing little areatest part of which were invented for the purposes of war the price of chastity in her estee lady's contee and situation, as so ed themselves in the stolen pleasures of youth

Meanwhile, Ferdinand seconded these endeavours with his whole industry and address He redoubled, if possible, his deference and respect, whetting his assiduity to the keenest edge of attention; and, in short, regulated his dress, conversation, and deport hu mistress He, moreover, attempted to profit by her curiosity, which he knew to be truly fe culled froerous books, calculated to debauch thepeople, left the directed Teresa to pick them up, as if by accident, in his absence, and carry them off for the entertainment of Mademoiselle; nay, this crafty projector found means to furnish his associate with soled in her chocolate, tea, or coffee, as provocations to warenious as they were, failed, not only in fulfilling their ai the foundations of her virtue or pride, which stood their assaults unnable to all the tempestuous blasts of heaven

Not but that the conspirators were more than once mistaken in the effects of their artifices, and disposed to applaud theress they had made When at any time she expressed a desire to examine those performances which were laid before her as snares to entrap her chastity, they attributed that, which was no other than curiosity, to a looseness of sentiment; and when she discovered no aversion to hear those anecdotes concerning the frailty of her neighbours, they imputed to abatement of chastity that satisfaction which was the result of self-congratulation on her own superior virtue

So far did the treacherous accomplice of Fathoth divested her tongue of all restraint, and behaved in such alady, confounded and incensed at her indecency and ireat severity, and co disrace from her service

CHAPTER NINE

THE CONFEDERATES CHANGE THEIR BATTERY, AND ACHIEVE A REMARKABLE ADVENTURE

Thunderstruck at this disappointment, the confederates held a council, in order to deliberate upon the next measures that should be taken; and Ferdinand, for the present, despairing of accorand aim, resolved to profit in another manner, by the conveniency of his situation He represented to his helpmate, that it would be prudent for theht be sooner or later discovered, and an end put to all those opportunities which they now so happily enjoyed All principles of morality had been already excluded from their former plan; consequently he found it an easy task to interest Teresa in any other schee, howsoever wicked and perfidious it ht be He therefore persuaded her to be his auxiliary in defrauding Madeave her suitable directions for that purpose; and even tutored her how to abuse the trust reposed in her, by e the suspicion of dishonesty

On the supposition that every servant in the house was not able to resist such temptation, the purse of her mistress, to which the e which the domestics had occasion to frequent; and Fathom posted himself in a convenient place, in order to observe the effect of his stratagem Here he was not disappointed in his conjecture The first person who chanced to pass that as one of the chambermaids, hom Teresa had lived for some time in a state of inveterate ene and respect which was paid to her by the rest of the servants

Ferdinand had, in his heart, espoused the quarrel of his associate, and longed for an occasion to deliver her froonist When he, therefore, saw her approach, his heart throbbed with joyful expectations; but, when she snatched up the purse, and thrust it in her bosoerness and confusion of one determined to appropriate the windfall to her own use, his transports were altogether unspeakable He traced her to her own apartreat trepidation, and then coether with instructions how to behave in the sequel

In conforoing to Made ht be known before the finder could have leisure to make any fresh conveyance of the prize; and, in the meantime, Ferdinand kept a strict eye upon the ed her pockets in vain, expressed some surprise at the loss of her purse; upon which her attendant gave indications of extreme amazement and concern She said, it could not possibly be lost; entreated her to search her escritoir, while she herself ran about the roo into every corner, with all the sy made this unsuccessful inquiry, she pretended to shed a flood of tears, bewailing her own fate, in being near the person of any lady who met with such a ht be called in question She produced her own keys, and begged upon her knees, that her chaht be searched without delay

In a word, she demeaned herself so artfully upon this occasion, that her rity, now looked upon her as a miracle of fidelity and attachment, and was at infinite pains to console her for the accident which had happened; protesting that, for her own part, the loss of the money should never affect her with a moment's uneasiness, if she could retrieve a certainkept in her purse, as a remembrance of her deceased aunt, from whom she received it in a present

Fathom entered accidentally into the itation of the maid, and the concern of the mistress, desired, in a respectful manner, to know the cause of their disorder

Before the young lady had time to make him acquainted with the circumstances of the case, his accomplice exclaimed, in an affected passion, ”Mr Fathom, my lady has lost her purse; and, as no persons in the faive me leave, inthe apartments of us both to be searched without loss of time Here are ive her the sa to fear”

Miss Melvil reprimanded her sharply for her un her with a look of disdain, ”Madao such mortification, I would advise Mademoiselle to subject the two chambermaids to such inquiry; as they also have access to the apartments, and are, I apprehend, as likely as you or I to behave in such a scandalouslady declared that she was too well satisfied of Teresa's honesty and Ferdinand's honour, to harbour the least suspicion of either, and that she would sooner die than disgrace them so far as to comply with the proposal the for the inferior servants from that examination which Fathom advised, she would forthwith put it in execution The chaly summoned, she calmly asked if either of them had accidentally found the purse she had dropped? and both replying in the negative, she assu their keys, threatened to exaail, who, though an Hungarian, was not inferior, in point of effrontery, to any one of the sisterhood in England, no sooner heard this menace, than she affected an air of affronted innocence, thanked God she had lived in old, but was never before suspected of theft; that the other ht do as she should think proper, and be s be tumbled topsy-turvy and exposed; but, for her own part, if she should be used in that inhuraceful manner, she would not stay another hour in the house; and in conclusion said, that Mademoiselle had reatest share of her favour, than believe their ainst innocent people whom they ell known to hate and defa an hint to the prejudice of Teresa, far fro Miss Melvil from her purpose, served only to enhance the character of the accused in her opinion, and to confirain de that, should she prove refractory, the Count hinisance of the affair, whereas, if she would deal ingenuously, she should have no cause to repent of her confession So saying, she desired our adventurer to take the trouble of calling up soan to treuilt, and i nalise her generosity, joined in the request, and the offender was pardoned, after having restored the purse, and proain entice her to the commission of such a crime This adventure fully answered all the purposes of our politician; it established the opinion of his fellow-labourer's virtue, beyond the power of accident or information to shake, and set up a false beacon to mislead the sentiments of Mademoiselle, in case she should for the future meet with the like misfortune

CHAPTER TEN

THEY PROCEED TO LEVY CONTRIBUTIONS WITH GREAT SUCCESS, UNTIL OUR HERO SETS OUT WITH THE YOUNG COUNT FOR VIENNA, WHERE HE ENTERS INTO LEAGUE WITH ANOTHER ADVENTURER

Under this secure cover, Teresa levied contributions upon herevery day; the young lady's patience began to fail; the faithful attendant was overwhelmed with consternation, and, with the appearance of extre that these things were certainly effected by so her precious reputation

Miss Melvil, not without difficulty, quieted her vexation with assurances of inviolable confidence and estees vanished, when Teresa could no longer keep her affliction within bounds

Indeed, this was an event of more consequence than all the rest which had happened, for the jeere valued at five hundred florins