I was more confounded at this last Assurance of the Man than at all before; and it put me directly upon reflecting, whether any, and what Inconveniences might ensue, from a Rencounter that I, at first, conceiv’d ridiculous, but might now reasonably begin to have more dangerous Apprehensions of.  I knew, by the Articles of War, all Persons are exempted from any Power of the Inquisition; but whether carrying on a Part in such a Farce, might not admit, or at least be liable to some dangerous Construction, was not imprudently now to be considered.  Though I was not fearful, yet I resolv’d to be cautious.  Wherefore not making any Answer to his Declaration about the Bishop, he took Notice of it; and to raise a Confidence, he found expiring, began to tell me, that his Name was Murtough Brennan, that he was born near Kilkenny, of a very considerable Family.  This last part indeed, when I came to Madrid, I found pretty well confirm’d in a considerable Manner.  However, taking Notice that he had alter’d his Tone of leaving the Town, and that instead of it, he was advancing somewhat like an Invitation of himself to Dinner the next Day, I resolv’d to show my self shy of him; and thereupon abruptly, and without taking any Leave, I left the Room, and my Landlady and him together.

Three or four Days had passed, every one of which, he never fail’d my Lodgings; not at Dinner Time only, but Night and Morning too; from all which I began to suspect, that instead of my Conversion, he had fix’d upon a Re-conversion of my Landlady.  She was not young, yet, for a black Woman, handsom enough; and her Daughter very pretty:  I entered into a Resolution to make my Observations, and watch them all at a Distance; nevertheless carefully concealing my Jealousy.  However, I must confess, I was not a little pleas’d, that any Thing could divert my own Persecution.  He was now no longer my Guest, but my Landlady’s, with whom I found him so much taken up, that a little Care might frustrate all his former impertinent Importunities on the old Topick.

But all my Suspicions were very soon after turn’d into Certainties, in this Manner:  I had been abroad, and returning somewhat weary, I went to my Chamber, to take, what in that Country they call, a Cesto, upon my Bed:  I got in unseen, or without seeing any Body, but had scarce laid my self down, before my young Landlady, as I jestingly us’d to call the Daughter, rushing into my Room, threw her self down on the Floor, bitterly exclaiming.  I started off my Bed, and immediately running to the Door, who should I meet there but my Irish Clerico, without his Habit, and in his Shirt?  I could not doubt, by the Dishabille of the Clerico, but the young Creature had Reason enough for her Passion, which render’d me quite unable to master mine; wherefore as he stood with his Back next the Door, I thrust him in that ghostly Plight into the open Street.