Page:Life and transactions of Mrs Jane Shore (3).pdf/9

 9

lace-woman, has a house near Shore's, and is very intimate with his wife. This woman is very fond of money, to such a degree, that money would make her do any thing. Her will I engage to do this matter, and trust me she will bring it to pass to your in satisfaction. The King liked this device and it was agreed that he should see her at this Mrs. Blague's, and have freedom to court her, but she should not know that he was the King, till he thought proper to have it discovered: Lord Hastings was not idle in promoting his master's happiness, but; with gifts and large promises, soon made the lace-woman pliable, so that many meeting's were made at her house, the King coming in disguise - as her friend; and, though Mrs. Blague often left them alone, and the King courted her with all his rhetoric, yet she appeared averse to his love, and often blamed him sharply for persuading to her to defile her husband's bed; and then she would chide Mrs. Blague for suffering such a rude man to come to her house, telling her the design he had on her chastity: she seemed surprised at it, but entreated her to be at ease, for she would not suffer him to come there again any more. This pacified her, but the plot was still deeper laid for her ruin, and at Christmas