ble
for me to have preserved my gravity a minute longer, when I was happily
relieved by a rap at the door, which I opened, and perceived my mistress
coming out of the coach. She flounced immediately into the shop, and
addressed her husband thus: "I suppose you thought I was lost, my dear.
Captain O'Donnell has been so good as to treat me with a play." The
reply, it may be supposed, was anything but courteous but the captain,
who had been all the time at the door discharging the coach, entered,
and Mr. Lavement, changing his tone, saluted him with all the usual
politesse of a Frenchman.

Shortly after this event, by the knowledge which I acquired of the
family secrets, my life became much more agreeable; and as I every
day improved in my knowledge of the town I shook off my awkward air by
degrees, and acquired the character of a polite journeyman apothecary.

CHAPTER XX

I am assaulted and dangerously wounded-suspect O'Donnell, and am
confirmed in my opinion--concert a scheme of revenge, and put it into
execution--O'Donnell robs his own servant and disappears--make my
addresses to a lady, and am miraculously delivered from her snare

One night, at about twelve o'clock, as I returned from visiting a
patient at Chelsea, I received a blow on my head from an unseen hand,
that stretched me senseless on the ground; and was left for dead with
three stabs of a sword in my body. The groans I uttered when I recovered
the use of my reason alarmed the people of a solitary alehouse that
stood near the spot where I lay: and they were humane enough to take me
in, and send for a surgeon, who dressed my wounds, and assured me they
were not mortal. One of them penetrated through the skin and muscles
of one side of my belly in such a manner, that doubtless the assassin
imagined he had run me through the entrails. The second slanted along
one of my ribs; and the last, which was intended for the finishing
stroke, having been directed to my heart, the sword snapped upon
my breast-bone, and the point remained sticking in the skin. When I
reflected upon this event, I could not persuade myself that I had been
assaulted by a common footpad, because it is not usual for such people
to murder though they rob, especially when they meet with no resistance;
and I found my money, and everything else about me but my carcase,
safe. I concluded, therefore, that I must either have been mistaken for
another, or obliged to the private resentment o