But let me do what I could, I saved little or nothing at the months end, (years I will not say, because I was weary of this trade in six months time:) for I now had not only my self, but this my old acquaintance, tance and new Broker to provide for; For he finding that most of my profit, came in by those he brought me, would be very bold in demanding a share with me: and his expences were so high, which he pretended, was only to bring me of the better sort of customers, that I was now poorer then ever, and he now became so impudent, that he would not only command my money, but my Rings, and other Jewels, which he would sell or pawn as he listed; and indeed it is the fortune, or misfortune, of all those of our Quality, to be troubled with some such fellows, hangers on as these, or else we should or might in little time gain sufficient estates; but as I say commonly, what we got one way, these followers spend the other, so that at length all that we are likely to purchase, if we have not a great care, is only a disease, which may stick long enough by us. I being fearful of this, for my Friend or Hector, I may call him both, was now grown so intemperate, that he kept all companies: and if I refused him money, or a nights lodging, he would go to any other common woman, the first he met withal, and so afterwards comming to me, I might be spoiled; to prevent this, I privately left my lodging, and hearing of two of my own sex, and quality, that were going a progress into the Country, to take a frollick, I made the third, and had a man as well as they to attend me; and as I expected, to bear my charges; but we all reckoned without our host, for we were basely trappand, by those who went with us, and left in pawn for a reckoning that was considerable; we were in a strange place, many miles from London, and much distressed, but at length a resolution was taken, that one of us should go to London, and fetch money to redeem the rest, it fell to the lot of one of my companions, who being on her Journey, had the good luck to meet with honest Gregory, our now companion, and he very liberally relieved us, by sending mony to us, whereby we had the freedom to come to our companion, and him, who attended us. She being come to this part of her Relation, I told her, that I heard it already by Gregory, who among other passages of his life, acquainted me with that.
Well then replyed she, if you know that account, I have little more to acquaint you with, for not long after my arrival in London, I fortunately met with my honest friend the Drugster, and he liking me for a Mistress, and I him for a servant or Master which you please, agreed to obey his pleasures, he providing for me, which he hath hitherto done in a very plentiful manner: and I on the other side, have bin as constant and obedient to him.
CHAP. XXXVIII.
Mistress Mary having finished, Mistress Dorothy begins her story, wherein she relates, that having left her friends in the Country, she comes to London, and entring to service, lyes with 3 several men, by whom she was got with Child, and so orders the matter, that all 3 pay well for it.
I had given very great attention to Mrs. Maries story, and Mrs. Dorothy (who, with me, had been the only Auditor) told her, that she had received a great deal of satisfaction; for, said she, though I have formerly heard many of your particular actions, yet I never received a perfect account till now. Nay, said Mrs. Mary, this account is far from being perfect, and is only such passages as I could at present call to mind; but indeed they are the most remarkable, and by them you may guess at the rest.
I was very well pleased with what I had heard, and being likewise desirous to be acquainted with the adventures of Mrs. Dorothy requested her to relate them to me, which she did as followeth.
Old friend (said she to me) you have great occasion to love and respect me, for the great love I have born to you, and your memory; for after your departure from my Fathers house, I was very much afflicted for your absence, and I did believe that you intended marriage to me, as you protested; and though my Father and Mother had often doubted of the reallity of your intentions, especially, after you had so unworthily left me, yet I still perswaded them that you would return. You know well enough, that my Father was not ignorant of our privacy, he having surprized us in the manner, and you then promised to make me amends by marriage; but all the satisfaction I received was a Copy of Verses, and 20 pieces of Gold: In the one you expressed your Wit, in the other your Generosity, for I very well knew that you might have omitted both, and not have sent either; but I suppose, you were more skilful than I, and knew that I was with Child by you, and therefore sent that mony to defray the charge I should be at on that occasion. This piece of civility of yours did put me into good hopes, that you would return; and I accordingly perswaded my Father, and Mother; but time convinced me of my error: and also made it more apparent that I had been sporting with you; for my Belly swelled so, that my Mother soon resolved me that I was with Child by you.
I was very melancholly upon this occasion, but my Mother indeavoured to comfort me (for I being her only Child) she had a great deal of love for me; and knowing what was pass’d could not be helped, she took order to conceal and keep the knowledge of my misfortune from being publiquely known and discoursed of; Wherefore I, at her desire and directions, kept within doors, pretending a sickness, which indeed was not wholly counterfeit, in regard I much grieved for your absence. In this condition I spent my time, till the time of my deliverance from Childbearing came, and then I was brought to bed of a Boy, which was no sooner born, but it was taken and carried from me, to a Town three miles off, to be nursed by a woman, whom my Mother had for that purpose provided; and this was done to conceal the shame that I should or might sustain, if it were known that I had a Child, without knowing who, or at least, where was the Father.
So soon as a Month was expired, I went to see the Child, the sight of which put me too much in mind of the Father; and I was then again sensibly afflicted, at his absence; methoughts in that infancy there was so much resemblance of my beloved deceiver, that I kiss’d the Infant not only for its own, but for the Fathers sake. I then returned home agen, and now after so long a time of retirement, I began to recover, not only my strength, but some additions to my beauty; so that I having had 2 or 3 Suitors, when a Maid, who had forborn visiting me by occasion of my ilness, they now agen renew their suits; but if I had some dislike for them before, now I could not endure them in my company, they were such absolute Hobbinolls. Though I was not satisfied in their frequent visits, yet my Father and Mother press’d me, not only to accept them, but also their suit, and make choice of one of them for a husband, alleging, that you would never return; and it would be not only safe but necessary, in time to bestow my self. This discourse did much disturb me, and I was so often troubled with my suiters, and disturbed and vexed by my Father and Mothers importunity, that I resolved to quit both, by leaving them, and therefore purposed to go to London, that I might not be troubled with the importunity of my Father and Mother; nor the troublesome visits of my sweethearts.
In persuance of this resolve, I fitted my self with all necessaries; and that I might not wholly distract my Parents by my thus leaving them, I writ a Letter of excuse, & left it for them; & so walking to the next great Town, attending the coming by of the Passage Coach, and in that got me a place to ride to London.