It is a Story worth your hearing, _reply'd the Bawd_; and if you please I'll give you the Relation of it, as I had it from one of the Gentlemen concern'd therein. _You will Oblige me very much_; answer'd the Lady. Whereupon the Bawd thus began. It happened that two Gentlemen belonging to the Army (of which the one was my Particular Acquaintance, and a good Customer to my House) taking Water at the _Still-yard_, was minded to divert themselves upon the River, by going up to _Chelsie_-Reach; where they sometimes met with pretty Ladies proper for their Purpose, But as they were going along, they perceived a very fine Gentlewoman in a rich Garb, in a _Sculler_, all alone; and also observed that she made the _Sculler_, who was a good likely Young Man, row her sometimes one way, and sometimes another, without going to any certain Place. This gave 'em occasion to Conjecture that she had appointed some Spark or other to meet her thereabouts, whose coming she expected with some Impatience; as they easily perceiv'd: _For that which frets a Woman most,_ _Is when her Expectation's crost._ After she had near half hour in that manner fluctuated to and fro upon the silver Surges of _Thamesis_, like one of the _Nereides_, and found she was disappointed; she bid the _Sculler_ Land her at the _Three Cranes_, which he accordingly did; and the Gentlemen likewise order'd their _Oars_ to Land 'em at the same Place; and observ'd, after the Lady was Landed, that the _Sculler_ ask'd for his Money, and she bid him follow her; and after he follow'd her into _Thames-street_, he began to grumble, and told her he cou'd go no further, and therefore he wou'd have his Money; which she wou'd not give him whithout he went wither she was going, telling him she wou'd pay him for his time. This made the Gentlemen dog her, and soon after saw her go into the _Three-Cranes Tavern_, and the _Sculler_ after her; which the Gentlemen seeing, and (being resolv'd to know the bottom of this intrigue) follow'd them into the same Tavern; and bid the Drawer, if it was possible, let them have the next Room to that which the Gentlewoman had, who came in just before 'em with a _Waterman_ following her: The Drawer told 'em there was Company in the next Room then, but they were paying there Reckoning, and would be gone immediately; and in the mean time desir'd 'em to walk into a Box in the Yard, which they accordingly did; and whilst they sat there, they saw the Waterman go out again. Presently after the Drawer came and told 'em that the Room was now empty, which they forthwith went into, and had the conveniency through a hole in the Wall, to see the Gentlewoman unseen, who sat leaning her Arm upon the Table, in a very melancholy Posture, as one much dissatisfy'd; having a Glass of Wine before her, and Pen, Ink and Paper. Soon after the Waterman comes in again, and tells her the Gentleman had not been at home since Morning, nor did they know where he was.