Every thing being at last agreed upon, I stole out of my father's house very early, with trembling steps, and a more trembling heart, and went to the inn, where I was to meet Mr. Monkerton; who was not so cold a lover but he was there before me, and had got a chaise ready, which carried us out of the town directly, and proceeded with great speed to London.

I could not leave the place where I had so long lived, and which contained most of my relations and friends, without many tears. Mr. Monkerton said all that love could dictate, to make me easy; not without success: I loved him too well not to find great pleasure in the happiness which every word and every look expressed; and at last I grew happy too; but it was rather a tender than a lively joy; some melancholy would remain, but such as gave me an appearance of more softness, not of less love, than before I had taken this rash step.

We were carried directly to the Fleet: I was an entire stranger to London, and knew not what bad repute this place was in; but it did not seem a fit resort for happiness: However, to avoid all delay was so necessary a point to me (after having put myself thus into the hands of a young man, whose honour I had reason to believe arose only from having found it necessary for the success of his passion), that I made no objections: We were married there; after which, I gave up my contract, as being of no farther use; and we drove to the other end of the town in search of lodgings, and were soon accommodated.

My heart began now to be a little at peace; I was married to a man much my superior, from whom I might in a short time expect to have my reputation restored, and to be placed in a rank far above my birth; in the mean time, might hope that mutual love would yield me more happiness.