ular friend. Here I should
have found shelter, though my lord had been beforehand with me, and
endeavoured to prepossess her against my conduct, had not the house
been crowded with company, among whom I could not possibly have been
concealed, especially from her brother, who was an intimate friend of my
persecutor.

"Things being thus situated, I enjoyed but a very short interview with
her, in which her sorrow and perplexity on my account appeared with
great expression in her countenance; and, though it was not in her power
to afford me the relief I expected, she, in the most genteel manner,
sent after me a small sum of money, thinking that, considering the hurry
in which I left my house, I might have occasion for it on the road. I
was, by this time, benumbed with cold, fatigued with travelling, and
almost fretted to death by my disappointment. However, this was no time
to indulge despondence; since nobody could or would assist me, I stood
the more in need of my own resolution and presence of mind. After some
deliberation, I steered my course back to London; and, being unwilling
to return by the same road in which I came, as well as impatient to be
at the end of my journey, I chose the Bagshot way, and ventured to cross
the heath by moonlight.

"Here I was attacked by a footpad armed with a broad-sword, who came
up and demanded my money. My stock amounted to twelve guineas; and I
foresaw that should I be stripped of the whole sum, I could not travel
without discovering who I was, and consequently running the risk of
being detected by my pursuer. On these considerations, I gave the fellow
three guineas and some silver; with which he was so far from being
satisfied, that he threatened to search me for more: but I ordered the
coachman to proceed, and by good fortune escaped that ceremony, though
I was under some apprehension of being overtaken with a pistol bullet in
my flight, and therefore held down my head in the chaise, in imitation
of some great men, who are said to have ducked in the same manner in
the day of battle. My fears happened to be disappointed: I lay at an inn
upon the road, and next day arrived in town, in the utmost difficulty
and distress; for I knew not where to fix my habitation, and was
destitute of all means of support. In this dilemma, I applied to my
lawyer, who recommended me to the house of a tradesman in Westminster,
where I lodged and boarded upon credit, with my faithful Abigail (whom I
shal