Page:Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure (1749, vol. 1).pdf/184

 that moment come home; and after a short pause, as if to pull off my things, I open'd the door into the dining room, where I found the dowdy blowing the fire, and my faithful shepherd walking about the room, and whistling, as cool and unconcern'd, as if nothing had happen'd: I think, however, he had not much to brag of having out-dissembled me; for I kept up, nobly, the character of our sex for art, and went up to him with the same air of frankness, as I had ever receiv'd him. He staid but a little while, made some excuse for not being able to stay the evening with me, and went out.

As for the wench, she was now spoil'd at least for my servant; and scarce eight and forty hours were gone round, before her insolence, on what had pass'd between Mr. H and her, gave me so fair an occasion to turn her away at a minute's warning, that not to have done it would have been the wonder; so that he could neither disapprove it, nor find in it the least