Page:The Adventures of David Simple (1904).djvu/220

 me into a room; where, the moment they had me fast, they rifled my bag, in which I had put all my little treasure, and took it every farthing from me, and then asked me how I dared to stand begging in their district without their leave; they would have me to know that street belonged to them. And saying this, they every one struck me a blow, and then led me through such windings and turnings, it was impossible I should find my way back again, and left me in a street I did not know. But I inquired my way home; and, as I was in my rags and my borrowed ugliness, was not attacked by any one, I suppose it was owing to that disguise that I escaped meeting with brutal usage of another kind from those wretches." David shook with horror at that thought; and, although he had never cursed anybody, yet, when he reflected on Camilla's sufferings, he could hardly forbear cursing Livia; and said no punishment could be bad enough for her. He was now afraid every time Camilla opened her mouth what he should hear next; for he found himself so strongly interested in everything which concerned her, that he felt in his own mind all the misery she had gone through; and he then asked her what she could possibly do in this unhappy situation. To which she replied, "I knew not what to do, my spirits were depressed, and worn out with fatigue, and I felt the effects of the blows those barbarous creatures had given me. But this indeed was trifling, in comparison of the horror which filled my mind when I saw Valentine faint, and hardly able to speak from want of proper nourishment, and I had no method of getting him any. "The landlady of the house had been already clamorous for her money; but I had, by persuasions and promises to get it for her as soon as ever I could, pacified her from time to time. I was afraid thathat [sic]