Jewkes, that John Arnold is turned away, being
detected in writing to Mr. Williams; and that Mr. Longman, and Mr.
Jonathan the butler, have incurred his displeasure, for offering to speak
in my behalf. Mrs. Jervis too is in danger; for all these three,
probably, went together to beg in my favour; for now it is known where I
am.
Mrs. Jewkes has, with the news about my master, received a letter: but
she says the contents are too bad for me to know. They must be bad
indeed, if they be worse than what I have already known.
Just now the horrid creature tells me, as a secret, that she has reason
to think he has found out a way to satisfy my scruples: It is, by
marrying me to this dreadful Colbrand, and buying me of him on the
wedding day, for a sum of money!--Was ever the like heard?--She says it
will be my duty to obey my husband; and that Mr. Williams will be forced,
as a punishment, to marry us; and that, when my master has paid for me,
and I am surrendered up, the Swiss is to go home again, with the money,
to his former wife and children; for, she says, it is the custom of those
people to have a wife in every nation.
But this, to be sure, is horrid romancing! Yet, abominable as it is, it
may possibly serve to introduce some plot now hatching!--With what
strange perplexities is my poor mind agitated! Perchance, some sham-
marriage may be designed, on purpose to ruin me; But can a husband sell
his wife against her own consent?--And will such a bargain stand good in
law?
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, the 32d, 33d, and 34th days of my
imprisonment.
Pages:
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296