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 comfortable sufficiency to make her easy for life, that she had the pleasure of seeing me at church, where my appearance, and deportment made such an impression upon her heart, that she could enjoy no ease until she had inquired into my character, which she found so amiable in all respects, that she yielding to the violence of her inclination had ventured to declare her passion, with too little regard, perhaps, to the decorum of her sex, but she hoped I would forgive the trespass. I lost all patience and reflection, flung away from her in an instant, snatched my hat and cane and ran down the stairs as if the devil had been pursuing me.

At length, however, being now reduced to three guineas, I disclosed my necessity to Strap, Banter perceiving it, conducted me to a house in Convent-garden, which we entered. Before I would venture any thing, I considered the company particularly, and there appeared such a group of villanous faces, that I was struck with horror and astonishment at the sight. I signified my surprise to Banter, who whispered in my ear, that the bulk of those present were sharpers, highwaymen, and apprentices, who, having embezzled their masters cash, made a desperate push in this place to make up their deficiencies. I lent Banter a guinea, which he carried to the gold table, and lost it in a moment. He would have borrowed another but find-