Poor gentleman! all his dependance is upon my master,
who has a very good living for him, if the incumbent die; and he has kept
his bed these four months, of old age and dropsy.
He pays me great respect, and I see pities me; and would, perhaps, assist
my escape from these dangers: But I have nobody to plead for me; and why
should I wish to ruin a poor gentleman, by engaging him against his
interest? Yet one would do any thing to preserve one's innocence; and
Providence would, perhaps, make it up to him!
O judge (but how shall you see what I write!) of my distracted condition,
to be reduced to such a pass as to a desire to lay traps for mankind!
But he wants sadly to say something to me, as he whisperingly hinted.
The wretch (I think I will always call her the wretch henceforth) abuses
me more and more. I was but talking to one of the maids just now, indeed
a little to tamper with her by degrees: and she popt upon us, and said--
Nay, madam, don't offer to tempt poor innocent country maidens from doing
their duty. You wanted, I hear, she should take a walk with you. But I
charge you, Nan, never stir with her, nor obey her, without letting me
know it, in the smallest trifles.--I say, walk with you! and where would
you go, I tro'? Why, barbarous Mrs.
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