The next Morning early she sent for the Steward, whom she order’d to
take the Stranger to a Sale-shop, and fit him with a Suit of good
Cloaths, to buy him Shirts, and other Linnen, and all Necessaries, as he
had provided for her Brother; and gave him Charge to use him as her
particular Friend, during his Stay there, bidding him, withal, learn his
Name and Circumstances, if possible, and to supply him with Money for
his Pocket Expences: All which he most faithfully and discreetly
perform’d, and brought his Lady an Account of his Sufferings by Sea, and
Slavery among the _Turks_, as I have before related; adding, that his
Name was _Gracelove_. This was the greatest Happiness, certainly, that
ever yet the dear beautiful Creature was sensible of. On t’other Side,
_Gracelove_ could not but admire and praise his good Fortune, that had
so miraculously and bountifully reliev’d him; and one Day having some
private Discourse with the Steward, he could not forbear expressing the
Sense he had of it; declaring, That he could not have expected such kind
Treatment from any Body breathing, but from his Cousin, Counsellor
_Fairlaw_, his Lady, or another young Lady, whom he plac’d and left with
his Cousins. Counsellor _Fairlaw_! (cry’d the Steward) why, Sir, my Lady
is the old Counsellor’s Widow; she is very beautiful and young too. What
was her Name, Sir, before she marry’d the Counsellor? (ask’d
_Gracelove_) That I know not, (reply’d t’other) for the old Steward dy’d
presently after the old Lady, which is not a Year and a Half since; in
whose Place I succeed; and I have never been so curious or inquisitive,
as to pry into former Passages of the Family. Do you know, Sir, (said
_Gracelove_) whereabouts in Town they liv’d before? Yes, Sir,
(return’d the Steward, who was taught how to answer) in _Great
Lincolns-Inn-Fields_, I think, Alas! (cry’d _Gracelove_) ’twas the same
Gentleman to whom I design’d to apply my self when I came to _England_.
You need not despair now, Sir, (said t’other) I dare say my Lady will
supply your Wants. O wonderful Goodness of a Stranger! (cry’d
_Gracelove_) uncommon and rare amongst Relations and Friends! How have
I, or how can I ever merit this? Upon the End of their Conference, the
Steward went to _Philadelphia_, and repeated it almost _verbatim_ to
her; who order’d _Gracelove_ should be taken Measure of by the best
Taylor in _Covent-Garden_; that he should have three of the most modish
rich Suits made, that might become a private Gentleman of a Thousand
Pounds a Year, and Hats, Perukes, Linnen, Swords, and all Things
suitable to ’em, all to be got ready in less than a Month; in which
Time, she took all the Opportunity she could either find or make to see
him, and not to be seen by him: She oblig’d her Steward to invite him to
a Play, whither she follow’d ’em, and sate next to _Gracelove_, and
talk’d with him; but all the while masq’d. In this Month’s Time she was
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