by Daniel Defoe
I was in a strange Country; and tho’ I had a pretty many Acquaintances, had but very few Friends that I could consult on this Occasion; all possible Enquiry was made after the Rogues, that had been thus barbarous, but nothing could be heard of them; nor was it possible, that the Footman could make any Discovery of them, by his Description; for they knock’d him down immediately, so that he knew nothing of what was done afterwards; the Coachman was the only Man that cou’d say any thing, and all his Account amounted to no more than this, that one of them had Soldiers’ Cloaths, but he cou’d not remember the Particulars of his Mounting,61 so as to know what Regiment he belong’d to; and as to their Faces, that he could know nothing of, because they had all of them Masks on.
I had him Buried as decently as the Place would permit a Protestant Stranger to be Buried,62 and made some of the Scruples and Difficulties on that Account, easie, by the help of Money to a certain Person, who went impudently to the Curate63 of the Parish St. Sulpitius, 64 in Paris, and told him, that the Gentleman that was kill’d, was a Catholick; that the Thieves had taken from him a Cross of Gold, set with Diamonds, worth 6000 Livres; that his Widow was a Catholick, and had sent by him 60 Crowns to the Church of —, for Masses to be said for the Repose of his Soul: Upon all which, tho’ not one Word of it was true, he was Buried with all the Ceremonies of the Roman Church.
I think I almost cry’d myself to Death for him; for I abandon’d myself to all the Excesses of Grief; and indeed, I lov’d him to a Degree inexpressible; and considering what Kindness he had shewn me at first, and how tenderly he had us’d me to the last, what cou’d I do less?
Then the Manner of his Death was terrible and frightful to me, and above all, the strange Notices I had of it; I had never pretended to the Second-Sight,65 or any thing of that Kind; but certainly, if any one ever had such a thing, I had it at this time; for I saw him as plainly in all those terrible Shapes, as above, First, as a Skeleton, not Dead only, but rotten and wasted; Secondly, as kill’d, and his Face bloody; and Thirdly, his Cloaths bloody; and all within the Space of one Minute, or indeed, of a very few Moments.
These things amaz’d me, and I was a good-while as one stupid; however, after some time, I began to recover, and look into my Affairs; I had the Satisfaction not to be left in Distress, or in danger of Poverty; on the contrary, besides what he had put into my Hands fairly, in his Life-time, which amounted to a very considerable Value; I found above seven Hundred Pistoles in Gold, in his Scrutore, of which he had given me the Key; and I found Foreign-Bills accepted, for about 12000 Livres;66 so that, in a Word, I found myself possess’d of almost ten Thousand Pounds Sterling, in a very few Days after the Disaster.
The first thing I did upon this Occasion, was, to send a Letter to my Maid, as I still call’d her, Amy; wherein I gave her an Account of my Disaster; how my Husband, as she call’d him (for I never call’d him so) was murther’d; and as I did not know how his Relations, or his Wife’s Friends, might act upon that Occasion, I order’d her to convey away all the Plate, Linnen, and other things of Value, and to secure them in a Person’s Hands that I directed her to, and then to sell, or dispose the Furniture of the House, if she could; and so, without acquainting any-body with the Reason of her going, withdraw; sending Notice to his Head Manager at London, that the House was quitted by the Tennant, and they might come and take Possession of it for the Executors: Amy was so dextrous, and did her Work so nimbly, that she gutted the House, and sent the Key to the said Manager, almost as soon as he had Notice of the Misfortune that befel their Master.
Upon their receiving the surprizing News of his Death, the Head Manager came over to Paris, and came to the House; I made no Scruple of calling myself Madam —, the Widow of Monsieur —, the English Jeweller; and as I spoke French naturally, I did not let him know but that I was his Wife, married in France, and that I had not heard that he had any Wife in England; but pretended to be surpriz’d, and exlaim against him for so base an Action; and that I had good Friends in Poictou, where I was Born, who would take Care to have Justice done me in England, out of his Estate.
I should have observ’d, that as soon as the News was publick, of a Man being murther’d, and that he was a Jeweller, Fame did me the Favour as to publish presently, that he was robb’d of his Casket of Jewels, which he always carry’d about him; I confirm’d this, among my daily Lamentations for his Disaster, and added, that he had with him a fine Diamond Ring, which he was known to wear frequently about him, valued at 100 Pistoles, a Gold Watch, and a great Quantity of Diamonds of inestimable Value, in his Casket; which Jewels he was carrying to the Prince of —, to show some of them to him; and the Prince own’d, that he had spoken to him to bring some such Jewels, to let him see them. But I sorely repented this Part afterward, as you shall hear.
This Rumour put an End to all Enquiry after his Jewells, his Ring, or his Watch; and as for the 700 Pistoles, that I secur’d: For the Bills 67 which were in hand, I own’d I had them; but that, as I said, I brought my Husband 30000 Livres Portion, I claim’d the said Bills, which came to not above 12000 Livres, for my Amende; 68 and this, with the Plate, and the Household-Stuff, was the principal of all his Estate which they could come at; as to the Foreign Bill, which he was going to Versailles to get accepted, it was really lost with him; but his Manager, who had remitted the Bill to him, by Way of Amsterdam, bringing over the second Bill, 69 the Money was sav’d, as they call’d it, which would, otherwise, have been also gone; the Thieves who robb’d and murther’d him, were, to be sure, afraid to send any-body to get the Bill accepted; for that would undoubtedly have discover’d 70 them.
By this time my Maid Amy was arriv’d, and she gave me an Account of her Management, and how she had secur’d every thing, and that she had quitted the House, and sent the Key to the Head-Manager of his Business; and let me know how much she had made of every thing, very punctually and honestly.
I should have observ’d in the Account of his dwelling with me so long at —, that he never pass’d for any thing there, but a Lodger in the House; and tho’ he was Landlord, that did not alter the Case; so that at his Death, Amy coming to quit the House, and give them the Key, there was no affinity between that, and the Case of their Master, who was newly kill’d.
I got good Advice at Paris, from an eminent Lawyer, a Counsellor of the Parliament 71 there, and laying my Case before him, he directed me to make a Process in Dower72 upon the Estate, for making good my new Fortune upon Matrimony, which accordingly I did; and, upon the whole, the Manager went back to England, well satisfied, that he had gotten the unaccepted Bills of Exchange, which was for 2500 l. with some other things, which together, amounted to 17000 Livres; and thus I got rid of him.
I was visited with great Civility on this sad Occasion, of the Loss of my Husband, as they thought him, by a great many Ladies of Quality; and the Prince of —, to whom it was reported he was carrying the Jewels, sent his Gentleman with a very handsome Compliment of Condolance to me; and his Gentleman, whether with, or without Order, hinted, as if his Highness did intend to have visited me himself, but that some Accident, which he made a long Story of, had prevented him.
By the concourse of Ladies and others, that thus came to visit me, I began to be much known; and as I did not forget to set myself out with all possible Advantage, considering the Dress of a Widow, which in those Days was a most frightful thing; I say, as I did thus from my own Vanity, for I was not ignorant that I was very handsome; I say, on this Account, I was soon made very publick, and was known by the Name of La Belle veuve de Poictou; or, The pretty Widow of Poictou: As I was very well pleas’d to see myself thus handsomly us’d in my Affliction, it soon dry’d up all my Tears; and tho’ I appear’d as a Widow, yet, as we say in England, it was of a Widow comforted: I took Care to let the Ladies see, that I knew how to receive them; that I was not at a Loss how to Behave to any of them; and in short, I began to be very popular there; but I had an Occasion afterwards, which made me decline that kind of Management,
as you shall hear presently.
About four Days after I had receiv’d the Compliments of Condolance from the Prince —, the same Gentleman he had sent before, came to tell me, that his Highness was coming to give me a Visit; I was indeed, surpriz’d at that, and perfectly at a Loss how to Behave: However, as there was no Remedy, I prepar’d to receive him as well as I cou’d; it was not many Minutes after, but he was at the Door, and came in, introduc’d by his own Gentleman, as above, and after, by my woman, Amy.
He treated me with abundance of Civility, and condol’d handsomely the Loss of my Husband, and likewise the Manner of it; he told me, he understood he was coming to Versailles, to himself, to shew him some Jewels; that it was true, that he had discours’d with him about Jewels, but cou’d not imagine how any Villains shou’d hear of his coming at that time with them; that he had not order’d him to attend with them at Versailles, but told him, that he would come to Paris, by such a Day, so that he was no way accessary to the Disaster: I told him gravely, I knew very well that all his Highness had said of that Part, was true; that these Villains knew his Profession, and knew, no doubt, that he always carry’d a Casket of Jewels about him, and that he always wore a Diamond Ring on his Finger, worth a hundred Pistoles, which Report had magnified to five Hundred; and that if he had been going to any other Place, it wou’d have been the same thing: After this, his Highness rise up to go, and told me, he had resolv’d however, to make me some Reparation; and with these Words, put a silk Purse into my Hand, with a hundred Pistoles, and told me, he would make me a farther Compliment of a small Pension, which his Gentleman would inform me of.
You may be sure I behav’d with a due Sence of so much Goodness, and offer’d to kneel to kiss his Hand, but he took me up, and saluted 73 me, and sat down again, (tho’ before, he made as if he was going away,) making me sit down by him.
He then began to talk with me more familiarly; told me, he hop’d I was not left in bad Circumstances; that Mr. — was reputed to be very Rich, and that he had gain’d lately great Sums by some Jewels; and he hop’d, he said, that I had still a Fortune agreeable to the Condition I had liv’d in before.
I reply’d, with some Tears, which, I confess, were a little forc’d, That I believ’d if Mr. — had liv’d, we shou’d have been out of Danger of Want; but that it was impossible to Estimate the Loss which I had sustain’d, besides that of the Life of my Husband; that by the Opinion of those that knew something of his Affairs, and of what Value the Jewels were which he intended to have shown to his Highness, he could not have less about him, than the Value of a hundred Thousand Livres; 74 that it was a fatal Blow to me, and to his whole Family, especially that they should be lost in such a Manner.
His Highness return’d, with an Air of Concern, that he was very sorry for it; but he hop’d, if I settled in Paris, I might find Ways to restore my Fortune; at the same time he complimented me upon my being very handsome, as he was pleas’d to call it, and that I could not fail of Admirers: I stood up, and humbly thank’d his Highness, but told him, I had no Expectations of that Kind; that I thought I should be oblig’d to go over to England, to look after my Husband’s Effects there, which I was told, were considerable; but that I did not know what Justice a poor Stranger wou’d get among them; and as for Paris, my Fortune being so impair’d, I saw nothing before me, but to go back to Poictou, to my Friends, where some of my Relations, I hop’d, might do something for me, and added, that one of my Brothers was an Abbot at —, near Poictiers.
He stood up, and taking me by the Hand, led me to a large Looking-Glass, which made up the Peir in the Front of the Parlour; Look there, Madam, said he; Is it fit that Face, pointing to my Figure in the Glass, should go back to Poictou? No, Madam, says he, stay, and make some Gentleman of Quality happy, that may, in return, make you forget all your Sorrows; and with that, he took me in his Arms, and kissing me twice, told me, he wou’d see me again, but with less Ceremony.
Some little time after this, but the same Day, his Gentleman came to me again, and with great Ceremony and Respect, deliver’d me a Black Box ty’d with a Scarlet Ribband, and seal’d with a noble Coat of Arms, which, I suppose, was the Prince’s; there was in it a Grant from his Highness, or an Assignment, 75 I know not which to call it, with a Warrant to his Banker to pay me two Thousand Livres a Year, during my Stay in Paris, as the Widow of Monsieur — the Jeweller, mentioning the horrid Murther of my late Husband, as the Occasion of it, as above.
I receiv’d it with great Submission, and Expressions of being infinitely oblig’d to his Master, and of my showing myself on all Occasions, his Highness’s most obedient Servant; and after giving my most humble Duty to his Highness, with the utmost Acknowledgments of the Obligation, &c. I went to a little Cabinet, and taking out some Money, which made a little Sound in taking it out, offer’d to give him five Pistoles.
He drew back, but with the greatest Respect, and told me, he humbly thank’d me, but that he durst not take a Farthing; that his Highness wou’d take it so ill of him, he was sure, he would never see his Face more; but that he wou’d not fail to acquaint his Highness what Respect I had offer’d; and added, I assure you, Madam, you are more in the good Graces of my Master, the Prince of —, than you are aware of; and I believe you will hear more of him.
Now I began to understand him, and resolv’d, if his Highness did come again, he should see me under no Disadvantages, if I could help it: I told him, if his Highness did me the Honour to see me again, I hop’d he would not let me be so surpriz’d as I was before; that I would be glad to have some little Notice of it, and would be oblig’d to him, if he would procure it me; he told me, he was very sure, that when his Highness intended to visit me, he should be sent before, to give me Notice of it; and that he would give me as much Warning of it, as possible.
He came several times after this, on the same Errand, that is, about the Settlement, the Grant, requiring several things yet to be done, for making it payable, without going every time to the Prince again for a fresh Warrant; the Particulars of this Part I did not understand; but as soon as it was finish’d, which was above two Months, the Gentleman came one Afternoon, and said, his Highness design’d to visit me in the Evening; but desir’d to be admitted without Ceremony.
I prepar’d not my Rooms only, but myself; and when he came in, there was no-body appear’d in the House but his Gentleman, and my Maid Amy; and of her I bid the Gentleman acquaint his Highness, that she was an English Woman; that she did not understand a Word of French; and that she was one also that might be trusted.
When he came into my Room, I fell down at his Feet, before he could come, to salute me, and with Words that I had prepar’d, full of Duty and Respect, thank’d him for his Bounty and Goodness to a poor desolate Woman, oppress’d under the Weight of so terrible a Disaster, and refus’d to rise till he would allow me the Honour to kiss his Hand.
Levez vous done,76 says the Prince, taking me in his Arms, I design more Favours for you, than this Trifle; and going on, he added, You shall, for the future, find a Friend where you did not look for it; and I resolve to let you see how kind I can be, to one, who is to me the most agreeable Creature on Earth.
I was dress’d in a kind of half-Mourning, had turn’d off my Weeds,77 and my Head,78 tho’ I had yet no Ribbands or Lace, was so dress’d, as fail’d not to set me out with Advantage enough, for I began to understand his Meaning; and the Prince profess’d, I was the most beautiful Creature on Earth; and where have I liv’d? says he; and how ill have I been serv’d, that I should never, till now, be shew’d the finest Woman in France?
This was the Way, in all the World, the most likely to break in upon my Virtue, if I had been Mistress of any, for I was now become the vainest Creature upon Earth, and particularly, of my Beauty; which, as other People admir’d, so I became every Day more foolishly in Love with myself, than before.
He said some very kind Things to me after this, and sat down with me, for an Hour, or more; when getting up, and calling his G
entleman, by his Name, he threw open the Door, Au Boir,79 says he; upon which, his Gentleman immediately brought up a little Table, cover’d with a fine Damask Cloth, the Table no bigger than he cou’d bring in his two Hands; but upon it, was set two Decanters, one of Champaign,80 and the other of Water, six Silver Plates, and a Service of fine Sweet-Meats in fine China Dishes, on a Sett of Rings standing up about twenty Inches high, one above another; below, was three roasted Partriges, and a Quail; as soon as his Gentleman had set it all down, he order’d him to withdraw; now, says the Prince, I intend to Sup with you.
When he sent away his Gentleman, I stood up, and offer’d to wait on his Highness while he Eat, but he positively refus’d, and told me, No, To-Morrow you shall be the Widow of Monsieur — the Jeweller, but to-Night you shall be my Mistress; therefore sit here, says he, and Eat with me, or I will get up and serve.
I would then have call’d up my Woman, Amy, but I thought that would not be proper neither; so I made my Excuse, that since his Highness wou’d not let his own Servant wait, I wou’d not presume to let my Woman come up; but if he wou’d please to let me wait, it would be my Honour to fill his Highness’s Wine; but, as before, he would by no means allow me; so we sat and Eat together.
Now, Madam, says the Prince, give me leave to lay aside my Character; let us talk together with the Freedom of Equals; my Quality sets me at a Distance from you, and makes you ceremonious; your Beauty exalts you to more than an Equality, I must then treat you, as Lovers do their Mistresses, but I cannot speak the Language; ’tis enough to tell you, how agreeable you are to me; how I am surpriz’d at your Beauty, and resolve to make you happy, and to be happy with you.
I knew not what to say to him a good-while, but blush’d, and looking up towards him, said, I was already made happy, in the Favour of a Person of such Rank; and had nothing to ask of his Highness, but that he would believe me infinitely oblig’d.
