il he was obliged to
go to sea, where he perished in a storm.

'Having lost my benefactor, and almost consumed the remains of his
bounty, I saw myself in danger of relapsing into my former necessity,
and began to be very uneasy at the prospect of bailiffs and jails! when
one of the sisterhood advised me to take lodgings in a part of the town
where I was unknown, and pass for an heiress, by which artifice I might
entrap somebody to be my husband, who would possibly be able to allow me
a handsome maintenance, or at worst screen me from the dread and danger
of a prison, by becoming liable for whatever debts I should contract.
I approved of this scheme, towards the execution of which my companion
clubbed her wardrobe, and undertook to live with me in quality of my
maid, with the proviso that she should be reimbursed and handsomely
considered out of the profits of my success. She was immediately
detached to look out for a convenient place, and that very day hired a
genteel apartment in Park Street, whither I moved in a couch loaded with
her baggage, and my own. I made my first appearance in a blue riding
habit trimmed with silver; and my maid acted her part so artfully, that
in a day or two my fame spread all over the neighbourhood, and I was
said to be a rich heiress just arrived from the country. This report
brought a swarm of gay young fellows about me; but I soon found them to
be all indigent adventurers like myself, who crowded to me like crows
to a carrion, with a view of preying upon my fortune. I maintained,
however, the appearance of wealth as long as possible, in hopes of
gaining some admirer more for my purpose, and at length attracted the
regard of one who would have satisfied my wishes, and managed matters so
well, that a day was actually fixed for our nuptials. In the interim, he
begged leave to introduce an intimate friend to me, which request, as I
could not refuse, I had the extreme mortification and surprise to see,
next night, in that friend, my old keeper Horatio, who no sooner beheld
me than he changed colour, but had presence of mind to advance and
salute me, bidding me (with a low voice) be under no apprehension, for
he would not expose me. In spite of his assurance, I could not recover
myself so far as to entertain them, but withdrew to my chamber on
pretence of a severe headache, to the no small concern of my adorer, who
took his leave in the tenderest manner, and went off with his friend.

'Having