But, indeed, I was to have a great parcel of guineas
beside; I forget how many; for, had there been ten times more, they would
have been not so much to me, as the honest six guineas you tricked me out
of, Mrs. Jewkes.
Well, forsooth! but then I was to have I know not how many pounds a year
for my life; and my poor father (there was the jest of it!) was to be the
manager for the abandoned prostitute his daughter: And then, (there was
the jest again!) my kind, forgiving, virtuous master, would pardon me all
my misdeeds!
Yes, thank him for nothing, truly. And what, pray, are all these violent
misdeeds?--Why, they are for daring to adhere to the good lessons that
were taught me; and not learning a new one, that would have reversed all
my former: For not being contented when I was run away with, in order to
be ruined; but contriving, if my poor wits had been able, to get out of
danger, and preserve myself honest.
Then was he once jealous of poor John, though he knew John was his own
creature, and helped to deceive me.
Then was he outrageous against poor Parson Williams! and him has this
good, merciful master, thrown into gaol; and for what? Why, truly, for
that, being a divine, and a good man, he had the fear of God before his
eyes, and was willing to forego all his expectations of interest, and
assist an oppressed poor creature.
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