Olinda's Adventures: or the Amours of a Young Lady

by Catharine Trotter

  [Decoration]

  _Olinda's_ Adventures:

  OR THE AMOURS

  Of a Young LADY.

  By _Mrs._ TROTTER.

  LETTER I.

  _Dear Cleander_,

  I Hope I need not tell you how uneasie this tedious Absence makes me;for I must confess as troublesome as I find it, and as much as I Valueyou, I can't but wish you may be able to guess at it by what you sufferyour self: A strange Effect of the highest degree of Friendship; for ifI had less for you, I shou'd not so earnestly desire to hear you are inPain; but such Contradictions are no Mysteries to you, who understandso well the little Niceties of Friendship. That you may see I studynothing more in this Solitude than to oblige you; I've resolv'd toemploy most part of my time in complying with that Request you've oftenmade me, of giving you a particular account of all that has happen'd tome in my Life; tho' I fear I shall lose part of that Esteem which youhave hitherto preserved for me, by acquainting you with some Passages ofit, which yet I hope have nothing in 'em so ill, that the kindness of aFriend mayn't find out something in the Circumstances of the Story toExcuse: For tho' perhaps I have not always been so nicely cautious as aWoman in strictness ought, I have never gone beyond the bounds of solidVirtue. To put all to the hazard then, I will give you a faithfulAccount of all my Weaknesses. My Father dying, left me when I was veryyoung, to the Tuition of a Mother, who as you know is qualify'd for sucha Charge equal to any of her Sex; and she indeed perform'd her part aswell as her small Fortune wou'd permit her, which was scarce sufficientto maintain her, in that Rank her Birth had placed her. However, shegave me all the Education that was necessary; but I believe you'llexcuse me if I pass over all that occurr'd till I was Thirteen, forabout that time I began to fancy my self a Woman, and the more toperswade me to it, I happen'd to be acquainted with a Gentleman whoseName was _Licydon_, who the first or second time I saw him, seem'd tohave so much confidence in me, that he told me a long story of his Love,and ever after shew'd me all the Letters he either Writ to, or receivedfrom his Mistress: This you must think did not a little please me. and Ithought my self as Wise as the Gravest Politician, when he ask'd myAdvice in any of his Affairs, especially when I heard him commended bymany for a Man of great Parts. One day that we were by our selves, wefell into a Discourse of Womens making Love; he Argu'd that 'twas veryunjust to deprive 'em of the satisfaction of discovering a Passion,which they were as much subject to as Men: I said as much against him asI cou'd, but he had more dexterity to manage his Argument than I; sothat I was easily brought to agree with him; but said 'twas well thatcustom was observ'd, since the complaisance which was paid by their Sexto ours, would sometimes oblige 'em to comply contrary to theirInclination; for I cou'd not imagine how they cou'd civily refuse aLady's Intreaties. He told me if I wou'd write a Declaration of Love tohim, he wou'd shew me how it might be Answer'd with a great deal ofRespect, without any Love. I consented to do it, and accordingly did thenext day, and he return'd me an Answer which satisfied me: This, tho' itmay seem a trivial thing, you will find by the sequel, had like to haveproduc'd but ill Effects. Some time after this, he brought a Friend ofhis to Visit us, who was of a good Family; but according to the_English_ custom of breeding the younger Sons to Trades; he was aGoldsmith, but a great _Beaux_, and one who seem'd to have a Soul abovehis calling: He ask'd _Licydon_ if he had any pretensions to me, whichwhen he assur'd him he had not, he told him he was very glad he had nota Rival in a Friend; for he was hugely smitten, and shou'd need hisAssistance in his design; for he had observ'd such an intimacy betweenus, as gave him Reason to think he had great influence over me; and hewas sure he wou'd not deny him, if he was not my Lover. _Licydon_assur'd him he had only a Friendship for me, and that he wou'd use allhis Credit with me to perswade me to receive all His Addressesfavourably; which he did as soon as he had an opportunity. He said allof him that he could imagine most engaging, and especially of theViolence of his Passion. I was well enough pleas'd with the Love, tho'not with the Lover; for 'tis natural at that unthinking Age to covet acroud of Admirers, tho' we despise them: But I believe I need notconfine that Vanity to Youth, many of our Sex are troubled with it, whenone wou'd think they were Old enough to be sensible of the Folly, andinconvenience of being continually Courted, and haunted by Men they havean indifference, or perhaps an aversion for For my part I think there isno greater Torment; but I was of another Opinion then, and thereforeRally'd at the Love, and seem'd not to blelieve it; which I warrant yougave great Encouragement to my new Lover, when he heard of it; for 'tisa great Sign one wou'd be convinc'd. So I'd best prepare my self for anAttack, which I did not expect long: It was begun by a _Billet Doux_,which came first to my Mother's Hands; and when she gave it me, sheask'd what Answer I wou'd return. I told her I was wholly to be Govern'dby her; but if I was to follow my own inclination I wou'd not answer itat all: My Mother reply'd, she thought it fit I shou'd Answer it; forshe believ'd I cou'd have no aversion to him, and she did not think itan ill Match, considering my Circumstances. Then I desir'd her to inditea Letter for me, for I saw well enough I shou'd not please her. She gaveme a Copy of one, that without saying any thing that was kind, gave himcause enough to despair; but I cou'd not dissemble my Looks and Actions,in which he observ'd so much Coldness, that tho' several Letters pass'dbetween us, that wou'd have given hopes to a Man the least apt topresume; he was often half an hour with me alone, without speaking oneWord to me. At last he complain'd to _Licydon_ of the strangecontradictions in what I did, and what I Writ; for whenever he begun tospeak to me of his Love, I check'd him with such severe Looks, andturn'd the Discourse in such a manner, that he durst proceed no further,tho' my Letters seem'd much to his Advantage. _Licydon_ perswaded him(as perhaps he thought himself) that 'twas only my Modesty, and thatperhaps I shou'd be more emboldned, if he cou'd get my Mother's consentto his Proposals. _Berontus_, for that was his Name, was as wellsatisfy'd with this, as if I had told him so my self; and away goes heimmediately to my Mother, and tells her he's stark staring mad in Lovewith her Daughter: The next thing they talk of is Joynture, andSettlements, _&c._ and in fine they agree; So I am call'd for, andcommanded to look upon this Spark as one that must shortly be myHusband; to give us the more freedom, my Mother leaves us together.'Well, Madam, (says he) I have no Opposites to struggle with, yourMother has given me her consent, and you have given me hopes that youwill not refuse me yours. What shou'd I do in this perplexity? I had afirm Resolution never to Marry him; but I found my Mother so much setupon it, that I durst not let it be known; besides, I had engag'd myself so far in Obedience to her, that I did not know how to come off;but for the present I wou'd be whimsical, and take time to consider whatI shou'd do hereafter. So I put on a pet, and said, _Berontus_, I don'tknow what advantage you think you have more than before; but I'm sure aLover wou'd have found another way of Courting his Mistress, than by herMother; and it may be you'll find your self never the nearer my Heartfor having gain'd her: I hate a Man that will depend upon any other formy Favour than my self. 'Cruel Creature, _says he_, what pleasure do youtake in tormenting me? You know that I love you with the greatestrespect imaginable, and that I can't be happy but by you alone. I neverhad Recourse to your Mother till you had encourag'd me, and gave meleave to say it; your usage of me is very unjust. I knew well enough hewas in the Right; but I wou'd not know it: So that we parted both muchdissatisfied. How his Thoughts were employ'd I can't pretend to tellyou; but I was continually contriving how to get out of this troublesomeAffair. I cou'd find no way but to tell him sincerely, that all that Ihad writ in his favour was by constraint; that I was too young to thinkof Love, or Marriage, and so trust to his Generosity; and prevail withhim, if possible, to let it fall of his side. The first time I had anopportunity of putting my design in Execution, I thought the poor Loverwou'd never have liv'd to see me beyond those Years which serv'd for apretence for my refusal; but he was Wise enough to baulk me, 'If, _sayshe_ (after he was come out of his Dumps; for he was a quarter of an hourwith
out saying any thing. You see he was much given to silence) 'If Idid not imagine it your Hate that only study'd an Excuse, I shou'd waitwith a great deal of satisfaction, till you were pleas'd to make mehappy: But as it is, I shall die a thousand times with fear, that someother more happy in your inclinations than I, will rob me of you forever. He said in fine, abundance of fine things, to perswade me toengage my self to him; but I wou'd not consent to it; and all I couldsay to him, was as little prevalent to make him desist his suit. Hewou'd wait the Patriarch's Prenticeship rather than lose his Angel:Would it not be a sad Business if he should lose her after all? But I amafraid he's like, for her thoughts cannot be brought so low; they towrea little above his Shop, perhaps too high for her Fortune; but she'ssomething too young to consider that, or to prefer her Interest to herHumour. But to go on with my Story; my Mother was well enough satisfiedto have the Match delay'd; so that I thought I had nothing to do for aYear or two, but to wish some Accident might intervene to hinder it. Butit was not long before a Servant we had in the House found me otherEmployment; I had complain'd of some Negligences she had been guilty of,when my Mother was out of Town, which were occasion'd by a fondness shehad for one that waited upon _Licydon_: Upon which she had been like tobe turn'd away, and being of a revengeful Spirit, she cou'd neverforgive it. She had observ'd, that _Licydon_ often gave me, and I him,Letters in private; for when he had no other opportunity, he us'd togive me those he sent, or receiv'd from his Mistress, as we were takingleave, when I conducted him to the Door; which I often did, whilst myMother was entertaining other Company; and I return'd 'em when I saw himagain. This malicious Wench hoping to find something in 'em that mightprejudice me, to _Licydon_'s Man (over whom it seems she had a greatInfluence) that she heard his Master was a great Poet, and that she hada great mind to see some of his Works, if he could contrive to let herinto his Closet when he was abroad: The Servant who suspected nothing,promis'd her he wou'd let her know the first time his Master left hisKey, which he very seldom did. He kept his Word with her, and after shehad look'd over all his Papers, at last she found that Letter which Ispoke of at the beginning. She knew my Hand well enough, and no doubtwith Joy, put it into her Pocket, without being perceiv'd by the Fellow;and to lose no time, went presently to _Berontus_; to whom she said,That she was extreamly concern'd to see him deceiv'd by two that herely'd so much upon, as her young Mistress and _Licydon_: And thereforeshe could not forbear telling him, that she had discover'd an Intriguebetween 'em, and that they were so familiar, that if they were notMarried already, she was sure they wou'd be very suddenly; withabundance of Circumstances of her own Invention, to make the Story moreplausible. He did not believe her at first; but when she show'd him theLetter, it put him beyond doubt; so that after he had given her hisWord, whatever Measures he took, not to discover her, she went away verywell pleas'd, that she had depriv'd me of a Husband, and receiv'd a goodReward for it. _Berontus_ did not give his Rage and Grief leave toabate; but in the height of both, writ a Letter to _Licydon_, andanother to me. You can't imagine how much I was surprized when I readit, and found it was a Chalenge, (for in that Confusion he had mistakenthe Direction) to one whom he accus'd of betraying him in what wasdearer to him than his Life: I cou'd not guess who it was design'd for,till _Licydon_ came in, and show'd me a Letter he had just receiv'd,which he believ'd was for me; and desir'd me to tell him who that happyMan was _Berontus_ complain'd so much of. I saw plainly then he wasjealous of _Licydon_; but was not able to Divine the Cause: He gave methe Letter which contain'd these Words;

  _Wou'd to Heaven you had told me Truth, when you said you were too youngto think of Love; you have thought of it too much_ Olinda, _for myquiet; but you were born to Torment me. It is my Fate, why do I complainof you? Pity me, if I fall by my happy Rivals Hand, and if you can,forgive me if I survive him. This is the last time I design to troubleyou: I wish he may be more faithful to you than he has been to me:Adieu, Madam, pity the unfortunate_ Berontus.

  The Letter seem'd so full of Distraction, that I cou'd not chuse butpity him; for I really thought him Mad: But I did not think fit to shew_Licydon_ that which was design'd for him. When he was gone I sent for_Berontus_, but he refus'd to come, and 'twas with much ado after threeor four times sending he was prevail'd with. I told him by what means Ihad seen both his Letters; but that they appear'd so great Mysteries tome, that I sent for him to explain 'em. 'Twas long before he wou'd letme know the Cause of his suspicions; but I was so importunate, that atlast he show'd me the Love Letter I had writ to _Licydon_: Can I have agreater Proof than this, says he? I confess, reply'd I, you have Reasonto think as you do; but you are much deceiv'd; and then I told him uponwhat occasion it was writ: I saw very well he did not believe me, and Iknew not how to convince him, unless I cou'd find _Licydon_'s Answer,which at least wou'd clear him. I found it by good Fortune, and broughtit to _Berontus_. Read this, said I, and you'll see whether it be true,that I Writ to _Licydon_ in earnest: You have nothing to accuse him of.After he had read it, he cry'd out in a violent manner, I have wrong'dthe innocent _Olinda_, and I deserve to be hated by her for ever. Be notso transported I return'd coldly enough, I may love _Licydon_, tho' hebe so indifferent: The Postscript fully clears you, reply'd _Berontus_,and makes me not dare to ask you to forgive me: Upon which I took it,and read these Words, which I had quite forgot. _I did not think onecou'd write so prettily of Love, and be so insensible of it; How happywou'd that Man be, that shou'd receive such a one dictated by yourHeart, as well as Hand._ I am sure none cou'd return such an Answer to_Olinda_. This Complement did me so much Kindness, that one wou'd thinkI shou'd be a better Friend to 'em than you know I am. _Berontus_ leftme almost as angry at himself, as he was before at us; and did not comenear me for some time after. When I told _Licydon_ what had pass'dbetween us, he was amaz'd: He Examin'd his Man, who had been in theChamber, who confess'd the Truth; and our Servant, when she was tax'dwith it, hardly deny'd it; and thus the whole Matter was discover'd;which had it not been for a happy Mistake, had probably cost one, orboth of them, their Lives, and me my Honour. Two days after _Licydon_was Married, and so our Acquaintance broke off; for tho' his Wife cameto see me and often press'd me to keep a Correspondence with her; Inever did, for I knew she had been very Jealous of me before sheMarry'd, and I would not hazard the reviving it. _Berontus_ easilyobtain'd his Pardon of me (for you know I'm very good Natur'd) and so hecontinu'd to Visit me, taking all the pains he could to please me,without any thing remarkable happening, till three Monthes after, hisElder Brother, who had been at his Travels, and was reported to be dead,return'd; so that he was no longer able to keep the Conditions he hadmade with my Mother; for he had nothing to live upon but his Trade;which I afterwards heard he neglected very much, and took to that usualremedy of Cares, Drinking: He said it was to cure his Grief for the lossof his Mistress, and truly that is to be lamented, when the loss of agood Estate is the Cause of it. However he is comforted for both now,and Married to a Woman with a great Fortune. I was very glad to be ridof my Lover, tho' I was sorry 'twas by his misfortune.

  Thus _Cleander_, you have an account of the first Adventures of my Life;which made me early know some uneasie Hours: By the next Post I'llacquaint you with a Catalogue of Lovers (that is, they were my _Enpassant_, in taking their Rounds, and serv'd better to divert me thanthe most Romantick Constancy, without giving themselves, or me anytrouble) but it's indeed time to make an end. Adieu my Friend, think ofme always, and, Write as often as you can to _Olinda_.

  [Decoration]

  _M. V^{dr} Gucht Sculp_

  _Olinda_.

  _Vol. 2_ _pag. 136_]