Eliza Haywood. “Fantomina: Or, Love in a Maze”

Haywood, “Fantomina: Or, Love in a Maze” (1725) 20
have been blinded so often by her Artifices; or she, that so young a Creature should have the
Skill to make use of them. Both sat for some Time in a profound Resvery; till at length she broke
it first in these Words: Pardon, Sir, (said she,) the Trouble I have given you: I must confess it was
with a Design to oblige you to repair the supposed Injury you had done this unfortunate Girl, by
marrying her, but now I know not what to say:----The Blame is wholly her's, and I have nothing
to request further of you, than that you will not divulge the distracted Folly she has been guilty
of. ----He answered her in Terms perfectly polite; but made no Offer of that which, perhaps, she
expected, though I could not, now inform'd of her Daughter's Proceedings, demand. He assured
her, however, that if she would commit the new-born Lady to his Care, he would discharge it
26 faithfully. But neither of them would consent to that; and he took his Leave, full of Cogitations,
more confus'd than ever he had known in his whole Life. He continued to visit there, to enquire
after her Health every Day; but the old Lady perceiving there was nothing likely to ensue from
these Civilities, but, perhaps, a Renewing of the Crime, she entreated him to refrain; and as soon
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as [Page 291 ] her Daughter was in a Condition, sent her to a Monastery in France, the Abbess
of which had been her particular Friend. And thus ended an Intreague, which, considering the
Time it lasted, was as full of Variety as any, perhaps, that many Ages has produced.
FINIS.
26
discharge it faithfully: children belonged to their fathers, who were the custodial
parents regardless of their legitimacy.
27 Monastery in France: the monasteries were centers of learning, and fashionable women
often stayed there. They received visitors, improved their education (dancing, music, art, poetry,
and languages flourished), and enjoyed the society of other cultured women.