Page:The female Quixote, or, The adventures of Arabella (Second Edition).pdf/205



Some curious Instructions for relating an History.

Arabella, as soon as she left them, went up to her Apartment; and, calling Lucy into her Closet, told her that she had made Choice of her, since she was best acquainted with her Thoughts, to relate her History to her Cousins, and a Person of Quality who was with them.

Sure your Ladyship jests with me, said Lucy: How can I make a History about your Ladyship?

There is no Occasion, replied Arabella, for you to make a History: There are Accidents enough in my Life to afford Matter for a long one: All you have to do is to relate them as exactly as possible. You have lived with me from my Childhood, and are instructed in all my Adventures; so that you must be certainly very capable of executing the Task I have honoured you with.

Indeed, said Lucy, I must beg your Ladyship will excuse me: I never could tell how to repeat a Story when I have read it; and I know it is not such simple Girls as I can tell Histories: It is only fit for Clerks, and such Sort of People, that are very learned.

You are learned enough for that Purpose, said Arabella; and, if you make so much Difficulty in performing this Part of your Duty, pray how