e worst of purposes. You know something, to be
sure, of my story, my native poverty, which I am not ashamed of, my late
lady's goodness, and my master's designs upon me. It is true he promises
honour, and all that; but the honour of the wicked is disgrace and shame
to the virtuous: And he may think he keeps his promises, according to
the notions he may allow himself to hold; and yet, according to nine and
every good body's, basely ruin me.

'I am so wretched, and ill-treated by this Mrs. Jewkes, and she is so
ill-principled a woman, that, as I may soon want the opportunity which
the happy hint of this day affords to my hopes, I throw myself at once
upon your goodness, without the least reserve; for I cannot be worse
than I am, should that fail me; which, I dare say, to your power, it
will not: For I see it, sir, in your looks, I hope it from your cloth,
and I doubt it not from your inclination, in a case circumstanced as my
unhappy one is. For, sir, in helping me out of my present distress,
you perform all the acts of religion in one; and the highest mercy and
charity, both to the body and soul of a poor wretch, that, believe
me, sir, has, at present, not so much as in thought swerved from her
innocence.

'Is there not some way to be found out for my escape, without danger to
yourself? Is there no gentleman or lady of virtue in this neighbourhood,
to whom I may fly, only till l can find a way to get to my poor father
and mother? Cannot Lady Davers be made acquainted with my sad story, by
your conveying a letter to her? My poor parents are so low in the world,
they can do nothing but break their hearts for me; and that, I fear,
will be the end of it.

'My master promises, if I will be easy, as he calls it, in my present
lot, he will not come down without my consent. Alas! sir, this is
nothing: For what's the promise of a person who thinks himself at
liberty to act as he has done by me? If he comes, it must be to ruin me;
and come to be sure he will, when he thinks he has silenced the clamours
of my friends, and lulled me, as no doubt he hopes, into a fatal
security.

'Now, therefore, sir, is all the time I have to work and struggle for
the preservation of my honesty. If I stay till he comes, I am undone.
You have a key to the back garden door; I have great hopes from that.
Study, good sir, and contrive for me. I will faithfully keep your
secret.--Yet I should be loath to have you suffer for me! I say no more,
but co