) that I was her lodger and boarder,
as, whisperingly, I desired that she would; and meeting Miss Rawlins in
the passage, Dearest Miss Rawlins, said I, stand my friend; join with Mrs.
Moore to pacify my spouse, if she has any new flights upon my having
taken lodgings, and intending to board here. I hope she will have more
generosity than to think of hindering a gentlewoman from letting her
lodgings.

I suppose Mrs. Moore, (whom I left with my fair-one,) had apprized her of
this before Miss Rawlins went in; for I heard her say, while I withheld
Miss Rawlins,--'No, indeed: he is much mistaken--surely he does not think
I will.'

They both expostulated with her, as I could gather from bits and scraps
of what they said; for they spoke so low, that I could not hear any
distinct sentence, but from the fair perverse, whose anger made her
louder. And to this purpose I heard her deliver herself in answer to
different parts of their talk to her:--'Good Mrs. Moore, dear Miss
Rawlins, press me no further:--I cannot sit down at table with him!'

They said something, as I suppose in my behalf--'O the insinuating
wretch! What defence have I against a man, who, go where I will, can
turn every one, even of the virtuous of my sex, in his favour?'

After something else said, which I heard not distinctly--'This is
execrable cunning!--Were you to know his wicked heart, he is not without
hope of engaging you two good persons to second him in the vilest of his
machinations.'

How came she, (thought I, at the instant,) by all this penetration? My
devil surely does not play me booty. If I thought he did, I would marry,
and live honest, to be even with him.

I suppose then they urged the plea which I hinted to Miss Rawlins at
going in, that she would not be Mrs. Moore's hindrance; for thus she
expressed herself--'He will no doubt pay you your own price. You need
not question his liberality; but one house cannot hold us.--Why, if it
would, did I fly from him, to seek refuge among strangers?'

Then, in answer to somewhat else they pleaded--''Tis a mistake, Madam;
I am not reconciled to him, I will believe nothing he says. Has he not
given you a flagrant specimen of what a man he is, and of what his is
capable, by the disguises you saw him in? My story is too long, and my
stay here will be but short; or I could convince you that my resentments
against him are but too well founded.'

I suppose that they pleaded for her leave for my d