Page:History of Moll Flanders (2).pdf/4

 gypsies whom I remember, and left me at Colchester in Essex; where the magistrates taking compassion on me, put me to a nurse; with whom I lived thirteen years, till such time as she died, and then being fancied by a rich gentle-woman for my nice needle-work, I shared in the education of her daughters in learning to dance, speak French,

and playing upon music, these qualifications together with my beauty, caused my lady’s eldest son to pretend love to me and at last with his alluring speeches and powerful gold, his melting kisses, and affectionate promises that he would marry me as soon as he came to age, he prevailed upon me to