Page:Fortunes and misfortunes of the famous Moll Flanders.pdf/2

  The Hiſtory of the famous Moll Flanders.

THE moſt remarkable account can give of my parents is, that my father was hang'd for felony, and my mother tranſported for the ſame fact, after ſhe was delivered of   me in Newgate, from whence I was taken by ſome gypſies, who left me at   Colcheſter, I then not being above three years of age. There the magiſtrates taking pity on   me, and took care of me till I was thirteen years of age; and then being fancied by a rich gentlewoman, I   ſhared in the eduation of her daugh- ters, learning to dance, ſpeak French, and play upon muſical inſtruments. Theſe qualifications, together with my   beauty, caued my lad's eldeſt ſon to    pretend love to me; and at laſt with his alluring ſpeeches, his powerful gold, melting kiſſes, and fair promiſes that he would marry me when he came to   his eſtate, prevailled upon me to ſurre- nder my virginity to him, and permit him to uſe me whenever he had will and opportunity. But ſcarce a year was gone before