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Jane Douglas (1761)

The Covent Garden Calendar - Chapter XXV.

Chapter XXV.


Contains an account of the advantageous manner in which Jane disposed of her foreign commodities.

            Jane soon after arrived in London, and her return to her old habitation, at Covent Garden, was celebrated by a bonfire made by bucks who frequented her house.

            A nobleman calling there that evening, Jane addressed him in these terms. "My Lord, I have just imported from France some of the finest, prettiest creatures that ever peer of England could desire to amuse his leisure hours with. As G–d's my judge there's not one of them but has beauty enough to be received in the seraglio of the Grand Seignior."

            His lordship immediately desired to see thcm, and accordingly they were introduced, and a bowl of arrack, brought to refresh them.

            His lordship immediately entered into a familiar conversation; the which turned upon that topic, which the French call la foutrerie, and the English bawdy.

            In the course of the conversation his lordship with surprise perceived that one of these imported ladies was a fine girl, whom he had known at the Italian coffee-house, opposite to the French comedy, where she generally sat at the bar; and having very fine eyes, fine dark hair tied behind, and a most elegant shape, drew a great number of customers to the house, which was every day frequented by musqueteers, officers of the guards, abbés, and foreigners, from all the countries in Europe.

            His lordship being transported with joy, at seeing her again, offered to take her into keeping: and without the least hesitation, she accepted his proposal.

            He however thought it necessary to treat with Mother about her, as she having brought her over, might, with some show of reason, consider her as a property.

            Old Jane perceiving from his lordship's manner of expressing himself, that he had conceived an affection for the girl, resolved to have a good price for her.

            "My lord," said she, "Mademoiselle Du–p–s, had a virtuous education; but being reduced to poverty, by the indiscretion of her parents, who did not know well how to avail themselves of a Paris coffee-house, was obliged to retire to a convent. Christian charity was my motive for taking her from thence. I thought it a thousand pities that so fine a young creature should be shut up all her life, among a parcel of nuns, and obliged to shiver in a chapel at six o'clock in the morning, and at vespers, and what not. I could never approve of such inhuman practices, which thank God only prevail in Roman Catholic countries. Though to be sure the reformation has done a great deal of good.

            "My lord I'll warrant her a virgin: and as you have always been a good customer, you shall have her maidenhead for forty guineas."

            His lordship immediately burst into a loud fit of laughing; and told Jenny, that she offered to sell him what he had had long before gratis.

            "I knew Mademoiselle Du–p–s about a month after my arrival at Paris," said he, "she was then but fifteen years of age, and I dare say I had the first of her favours."

            Old Jane was not a little mortified at receiving this information; but much more so when his lordship paid her three guineas for mademoiselle's passage, two for her board, during her residence with Mother D––s, and carried her off in his chariot.

            Mademoiselle Du–p–s lived about five years after with this nobleman, and perhaps their mutual affection was much stronger than that of many of those who are joined by the honourable bands of wedlock.

            His lordship dying at the expiration of the five years, settled six hundred a year upon his mistress, who retired to Montpellier, where she passed the remainder of her days in a convent; and not being disposed to enter into a second love-engagement, dedicated herself entirely to religion. For the ladies of France generally speaking turn religious enthusiasts as soon as the love-enthusiasm begins to subside.

            So here we will leave her with her crucifix, and her books of devotion, and return to Mother D––s, who continued still attached to secular affairs.

            Her next adventure that befell her was of a less serious nature: but the reader must wait for it till the next chapter.

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