A 2 While THE Barrow Hill LADY'S MUSEUM. BY THE Author of the FEMALE QUIXOTB. VOL. II. LONDON, Printed for J. NEWBERY, in St. Paul's Church- ** I Take up my pen once more to give you the remainder of my fad ftory; and am pleased to find that many of your female readers exprefs a juft abhorrence of the character of Belinda. I feel my heart too much affected with the remembrance of the forrows the occafioned me, to enter into a detail of all her little artifices to enfnare the heart of my husband: there was an endless variety in her temper, which kept his attention perpetually awake, and prevended all fatiety; and fhe had fo perfect a command of her features, that whatever difpofition Dd 2 fhe fhe pleased to affume, her countenan expreffed it as naturally as if the really felt it. My husband grew every day more fond of the company of one who always prefented a new face; to him, fometimes airy and fparkling, fometimes tender and melancholy, now haughty and imperious, then foftened into a gentle languishment. While I was ignorant of her infidious defign, I diverted myfelf with her fantaftie behaviour; but Alcander now difcovered fuch an extreme attachment to her, that I began to grow uneafy. I was afraid of examining into the nature of my own. doubts and fears; the fufpicion that my Alcander was grown indifferent to me, and loved another, was fomething fo new, fo ftrange, fo fhocking to my heart, that L rejected it with horror; yet spite of myfelf I fought the melancholy conviction, and found it in his looks, his words, and every circumftance of his behaviour. My first thought was to expoftulate with him upon his change; but my pride opposed this, and reafon told me that upbraidings would not recal his affections: I refolved, therefore to feem ignorant of my misfortune, and flattering myself that when my dangerous gueft had left me, the impreffion fhe had made would be removed, I patiently waited for her departure. When he told me of her intention to return to London in a day or two, my heart bounded with joy, and I fcorned to diffemble fo far as to defire her to ftay any longer; but what became of me! when turning my eyes upon Alcander, I faw him pale as death, and unable to utter a word, fo great ly ly was he affected with the thoughts of parting. At length recovering himfelf, he folicited her to stay fome time longer, with fuch befeeching looks, and fuch earnestnefs of intreaty, that finding myself unable to fupport this fcene, I rofe up, and com plaining of a fudden indifpofition, retired to my chamber. My husband followed me immediately; and I, eager to admit every thought that could give me comfort, confidered this as an effect of his tendernefs and concern for me; but I was foon undeceived: he came only to reprove me for my civility to my gueft, in not preffing her to stay longer; and he had the cruelty to defire I would use my undeavours to keep her with us. in I answered nothing, but burst into tears. Alcander, who doubtlefs knew the caufe, and dreaded an explanation, left the room without taking any notice of my diforder. Oh, how unlike was this to his former behaviour! I thought I fhould have died with grief; but pride and refentment came to my aid I refolved not to add to Belinda's triumph, by fuffering my uneafinefs to appear.. I therefore compofed my looks; and when the came with an affected folicitude to enquire after my health, the found me in appearance easy and tranquil. My husband finding me fully determined not to hinder Belinda from leaving us, declared his intention to go to London, and coldly afked me if it would be agreeable to me? I replied, that I would certainly accompany him; fo we all fet out together. Belinda and I parted with great indifference Dd 3 |