Aubin, Penelope (1679?-1731?)

The Life of Madam de Beaumount, a French Lady

London

Printed for E. Bell, and J. Darby, A. Bettesworth, F. Fayram, J. Pemberton, J. Hooke, C. Rivington, F. Clay, J. Batley, E. Symon

1721

"Belinda, much confused, looked first on him, then on her Mother, remaining silent, seized with a Passion she had been a Stranger to till that Moment. "

'Come, my dear Child, said the Lady, let us take a Walk over the Hills this sweet Morning, it is all the Diversion our sad Circumstance permits us to take.' 'Why, Madam,' answered the fair Belinda, for so was the young Lady called, 'Can there be any Pleasures in the World, exceeding those this sweet Retirement gives us? How often have you recounted to me the Miseries and Dangers that attend a Life led in crowded Cities and noisy Courts: [Page 238] Had you never left the quiet Convent for the World, or changed your Virgin-State, how happy had you been? Our homely Cell, indeed, is nothing like the splendid Places I have heard you talk of; but then we are not half so much exposed to those Temptations you have warned me of: Nothing I dread but only this; should Providence take you from me, I should be so sad and lonely, that I fear my Heart would break.' 'My Child,' the Lady answered, 'Our Lives are in the Almighty's Hands, and we must still submit; you cannot be wretched whilst you are innocent, and I still hope your Father lives, that we shall meet again; that we shall leave this dismal Place, return to France, and live to see you happily disposed of in the World. It is now fourteen Years and six Months since we have lived securely in this lonely Mansion, a tedious Task to me; you know I dare not return to France a second Time, having been once betrayed, and with much Difficulty escaped from my Enemies Hands: I want only some faithful Friend that could go thither for me.' By this Time they were past on so far that Mr.Lluelling could hear no more: He came down from the Tree, and followed gently after, soon overtook, and thus addressed himself to them. 'Ladies, said he, be not surprized, I am a Gentleman of this Place, one who am able to serve you, my Estate and Heart are at your Command; sure I have been very unfortunate in being so long ignorant of my being near you. I have overheard your Discourse, and am come to offer myself and Fortune to you.' Here he threw himself at Belinda's Feet. 'To [Page 239] this fair Creature, said he, I dedicate the Remainder of my Life; I and all that is mine shall be devoted to her Service. Speak, lovely Maid, said he, whose Eyes have robbed me of a Heart, may I presume to hope?' Belinda,much confused, looked first on him, then on her Mother, remaining silent, seized with a Passion she had been a Stranger to till that Moment. The Lady well perceiving it, answered thus, 'Rise, Sir, since Heaven, who has till now preserved us from all Discovery, has permitted you to see us, and, as I conjecture, more than this Time, so that it would be invain to forbid your coming where we are: I consent to accept the Friendship which you offer, not doubting but you are what you appear, a Person of Birth and Fortune.' He bowed, and taking Belinda by the Hand, said, 'Madam, you shall find me all you can wish; let me now have the Honour to wait of you home to your Cell, and there we may be more at liberty to talk.' The Ladies consenting, they went back together to the Cave, the Inside of which was most surprizing to Mr. Lluelling: There he found five Rooms so contrived, and so richly furnished, that he stood amazed. 'In the Name of Wonder, said he, Ladies, by what Inchantment or Art was this Place contrived; from whence is this Light conveyed that illuminates it, which seems without all covered over with Earth, and is within so light and agreeable?' The Lady answered, 'When you have heard our Story you will be satisfied in all. At our landing on this Place, we found a Cave, or little Cell, but not like what it now is; the Seamen belonging to the Ship, that [Page 240] brought us here, contrived and made it what you see; the Damask Beds, Scrutores, and all the Furniture you find here, I brought with me from France. The Light is from a Sky-Light on the Top of the Hill, covered with a Shutter and Grate, when we think fit to shut Day out: A Pair of Stairs leads to it in the Midst of the Rooms which you see lye in a Kind of Round. The Building is contrived an Oval, part lined with some Boards, to defend the Damps from us; but yet in Winter it is no pleasant Dwelling.' "Madam, said he, I have a Seat, and more convenient House that shall be proud to receive you, and I shall not cease to importune you till you grace it with your Presence; I shall therefore deny my self the Pleasure of staying with you longer, and fetch my Coach to bear you thither." At these Words he took leave.

Population::Stranger

Searching "passion" and "stranger" in HDIS (Prose)

Text from A Collection Of Entertaining Histories and Novels, Designed To promote the Cause of Virtue and Honour. Principally founded on Facts, and interspersed with a Variety of Beautiful and Instructive Incidents, 3 vols. (London: Printed for D. Midwinter, A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch, 1739). <Link to ECCO>

See also The life of Madam de Beaumount, a French lady; who lived in a cave in Wales above fourteen Years undiscovered, being forced to fly France for her Religion; and of the cruel Usage she had there. Also her lord's adventures in Muscovy, where he was a Prisoner some Years. With An Account of his returning to France, and her being discover'd by a Welsh Gentleman, who fetch'd her Lord to Wales: And of many strange Accidents which befel them, and their Daughter Belinda, who was stolen away from them; and of their Return to France in the Year 1718. By Mrs. Aubin. (London: Printed for E. Bell, and J. Darby, A. Bettesworth, F. Fayram, J. Pemberton, J. Hooke, C. Rivington, F. Clay, J. Batley, E. Symon, 1721). <Link to ECCO>

03/06/2006