Inconstant disposition, that they owed the
withdrawing of her bounty; but to console them for the loss of it, she
promised to speak to some of her friends in their behalf, and also to
contribute something herself towards alleviating their misfortunes; but,
added she, I am not the mistress of a prince and first favourite, so
have it not in my power to act as the generosity of my nature
inclines me to do.
She stayed with them a considerable time, and entertained them with
little else than railing on Edella; and to make her appear as odious and
contemptible as she could to Horatio, insinuated that it was for the
sake of a young needy favourite she had been obliged to withdraw the
allowance they had from her.
On taking leave she found means to slip a little billet into Horatio's
hands, unperceived by any of the company, which, as soon as he had a
convenient opportunity, he opened, and found these words in French:
To the agreeable HORATIO.
SIR,
"Tho' I have not perhaps so much beauty
as Edella, I have twice her sincerity, and
not many years older: such as I am, however,
I fancy you will think a correspondence with
me of too much advantage to be refused:
