Page:Life and transactions of Jane Shore, concubine to King Edward IVth.pdf/18

18 instructed her to make up to him, and ask him to take her along with him, and give her liquor. She did as she was taught-she was able at once to practise her lesson--for though the way of transgressors is hard, it is not hard to learn the ways of transgression, 'Poor girl,' said he, 'you are in bad company. You are going to hell as fast as you can, and you will be miserable for ever.' You need not talk to me at that rate,' said she, for it is you, and the like of you, that leads us astray.' She thought, no doubt, of her perfidioưs seducer, and probably she thought that all men were alike wicked. 'It is true,' said he, 'many young men are very bad, but that will not avail you if you lose your own soul, and I assure you, you are in the way of everlasting misery.' On hearing this, Elizabeth burst into tears, told her destitute condition, and asked what she should do? 'if you will promise,' said he, 'to leave this course of life, I will endeavour to do something for you,' 'Yes I will,' said she, 'yes I will; only let me know what I can do for myself, and I will do it'

He took her to his mother's house, and after considering the matter, his mother and he did not think it prudent that she should stay with them all night. They advised her to go to her lodging, in which she told them she had seen nothing improper, and to return to-morrow, and they would see what could be done for her. In the meantime, they made her promise that she would, on no account, go out of her lodging till she was about to come direct to them.

When the young man began to reflect on what