that time, who had the grave way to an excellence.  He came in first; but upon seeing a servant coming towards him, with a design to tell him, this was no place for him or his companions, up goes my grave impudence to the maid:  “Young woman,” said he, “if any of the ladies are in the way on this side of the house, pray carry us on the other side towards the gardens:  we are, you must know, gentlemen that are travelling England; after which we shall go into foreign parts, where some of us have already been.”  Here he bows in the most humble manner, and kissed the girl, who knew not how to behave to such a sort of carriage.  He goes on:  “Now you must know we have an ambition to have it to say, that we have a Protestant nunnery in England:  but pray Mrs. Betty—­” “Sir,” she replied, “my name is Susan, at your service.”  “Then I heartily beg your pardon—­” “No offence in the least,” says she, “for I have a cousin-german whose name is Betty.”  “Indeed,” said he, “I protest to you that was more than I knew, I spoke at random:  but since it happens that I was near in the right, give me leave to present this gentleman to the favour of a civil salute.”  His friend advances, and so on, till that they had all saluted her.  By this means, the poor girl was in the middle of the crowd of these fellows, at a loss what to do, without courage to pass through them; and the Platonics, at several peep-holes, pale, trembling, and fretting.  Rake perceived they were observed, and therefore took care to keep Suky in chat with questions concerning their way of life; when appeared at last Madonella,[330] a lady who had writ a fine book concerning the recluse life, and was the projectrix of the foundation.  She approaches into the hall; and Rake, knowing the dignity of his own mien and aspect, goes deputy from his company.  She begins, “Sir, I am obliged to follow the servant, who was sent out to know, what affair could make strangers press upon a solitude which we, who are to inhabit this place, have devoted to Heaven and our own thoughts?” “Madam,” replies Rake, with an air of great distance, mixed with a certain indifference, by which he could dissemble dissimulation, “your great intention has made more noise in the world than you design it should; and we travellers, who have seen many foreign institutions of this kind, have a curiosity to see, in its first rudiments, this seat of primitive piety; for such it must be called by future ages, to the eternal honour of the founders.  I have read Madonella’s excellent and seraphic discourse on this subject.”  The lady immediately answers, “If what I have said could have contributed to raise any thoughts in you that may make for the advancement of intellectual and divine conversation, I should think myself extremely happy.”  He immediately fell back with the profoundest veneration; then advancing, “Are you then that admired lady?  If I may approach lips which have uttered things so sacred—­” He salutes her.  His friends follow his example.