Page:Arabella (Second Edition - Volume 1).pdf/135

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  • cautions for his own Security, paid Miss Groves's

Debts, carrying on, in her Name, a Law-suit with the Duchess, for some Lands, which were to be put into her Hands, when she was of Age, and which that great Lady detained. Miss Groves, being reduced to live upon something less than an Hundred a Year, quitted London, and came into this Part of the Country, where she was received by Mrs. Barnett, one of her Woman's Sisters, who is married to a Country Gentleman of some Fortune: In her House she lay in of a Girl, which Mr. L— sent to demand, and will not be persuaded to inform her how, or in what manner, he had disposed of the Child.

Her former Woman leaving her, I was received in her Place, from whom I learnt all these Particulars: And Miss Groves having gained the Affections of Mr. Barnett's Brother, her Beauty, and the large Fortune which she has in Reversion, has induced him, notwithstanding the Knowlege of her past unhappy Conduct, to marry her. But their Marriage is yet a Secret, Miss Groves being apprehensive of her Uncle's Displeasure for not consulting him in her Choice.

Her Husband is gone to London, with an Intention to acquaint him with it; and, when he returns, their Marriage will be publicly owned.