for you have neither House nor
Lands to secure you; but 'tis upon my Purse, that you depend; and I am he
that keeps you all alive. And since I am at all this cost, it is just that
it should be acknowledged, and that you all should own me for your Master.
Your own Interest speaks for me, and therefore I need say the less.

The Prodigal having made an end, they all agreed that it was best for them
to hang together, since their Interest was all the same: And therefore each
of them should keep their several Stations; and acknowledge the Bawd for
their Mistress, and the young Spend-Thrift for their Benefactor.

* * * * *

CHAP. III.

_How a Young Woman, by the help of an Old _Bawd_, Enjoy'd her Lover and
Deceiv'd her Husband._

Having already given you the Character of a _Bawd_, and shown you her Plea
for Preheminence in the Art of Wickedness, I now come to shew you by what
famous Atcheivements she comes to deserve it. And when you have seen her
cunning in Contriving, and her Patience in Suffering; you must readily
acknowledge she is one that spares no Pains to be Superlatively Wicked.

In the West of _England_ there lived not long since an Ancient Gentleman to
whom Providence had been very propitious, in blessing him with a fair
Estate, so that he wanted for no outward Accommodations that might make his
Life as happy as he cou'd desire: This Gentleman, being an Old Batchelor,
had more Wealth than Wisdom, and Desire to Act, than Ability to perform.
For nothing would serve his turn but a Wife; and she must be a Young one
too; for tho' he was an Old Man yet he had young Inclinations, and fancies
himself as brisk at Three-score and Ten, as when he was but Thirty: You may
easiely imagine a Man of his Estate cou'd not be long without several
Offers when his mind was known: For Wealth has so many Charms in it, that
it often blinds the Eyes of Parents, and makes them mistake their true
Interest, with respect to the Disposal of their Children; which consists
not so much in being married to Rich Husbands, as to those that are
suitable for them. The Beautiful young Daughter of a Decay'd Gentleman was
offer'd to this Old Letcher, who being sensible that he could not expect a
handsome young Wife with a great Fortune, readily acceps of this, who
wanted no Accomplishments to render her a Bride worthy of a better Husband,
or at least one more suitable: The young Gentlewoman, was not half so fond