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 seat for years, so that it was neglected, and committed entirely to my aunt, and two more old domestics, to take care of it.

Thus I had the full range of a spacious lonely house, and gardens, situate at above half a mile distance from any other habitation, except perhaps a straggling cottage, or so.

Here, in tranquility, and innocence, I grew up, without any memorable accident, till one fatal day I had, as I had often done before, left my aunt fast asleep, and secure for some hours, after dinner: and resorting to a kind of antient summer-house, at some distance from the house, I carry'd my work with me, and sat over a rivulet, which its door and window fac'd upon. Here I fell into a gentle-breathing slumber, which stole up on my senses, as they fainted under the excessive heat of the season, at that hour: a cane-couch, with my work basket for a pillow, were all the conveniences of my short repose; for I was soon awak'd and alarm'd by a flounce, and noise of Rh