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 In the mean time poor William was frighten'd out of his senses, and as much need as I had of spirits to support myself, I was oblig'd to employ them all to keep his a little up: The misfortune I had now brought upon him, endear'd him the more to me, and I could have joyfully suffer'd any punishment he had not shar'd in. I water'd plentifully with my tears the face of the frighten'd youth, who sat, not having strength to stand, as cold and as lifeless as a statue.

Presently Mr. H comes in to us again, and made us go before him into the dining-room, trembling and dreading the issue: Mr. H sat down on a chair, whilst we stood like criminals under examination; and, beginning with me, ask'd me with an even firm tone of voice, neither soft nor severe, but cruelly indifferent, what I could say for myself for having abus'd him in so unworthy a manner, with his own servant too, and how he had deserv'd this of me?

Without adding to the guilt of my infidelity that of an audacious defence of it, in the old style of a common kept Miss, my answer was modest, and often rupted