The Marquis, whose Surprize was considerably increased by these Words, hastily broke open the Letter, which she perceiving, hurried out of the Room; and, locking herself up in her Closet, began to bewail the Effect of her Charms, as if she was perfectly assured of her Cousin's Death.
The Marquis, however, who, from Lady Bella's Exclamation, had prepared himself for the Knowlege of some very extraordinary Accident, was less surprised, than he would otherwise have been, at the Contents; which were as follow:
My Lord,
As my leaving your House so abruptly will certainly make me appear guilty of a most unpardonable Rudeness, I cannot dispense with myself from acquainting your Lordship with the Cause; though to spare the Reproaches Lady Bella will probably cast on me for doing so, I could wish you knew it by any other Means.
But, my Lord, I value your Esteem too much to hazard the Loss of it by suffering you to imagine, that I am capable of doing any thing to displease you. Lady Bella was pleased to order me to stay no longer in the House; and menaced me with some very terrible Usage, if I disobeyed her: She used so many other contemptuous Expressions to me, that, I am persuaded, I shall never be so happy as to possess the Honour you designed for,
My Lord,
Your most obedient, &c.
Charles Glanville.
