What
did it avail?--She was turned out.

"She approached her father's door, in the skirts of London,--listened at
the shutters,--but could not knock. A watchman had observed her go and
return several times--Poor wretch!--"The remorse Jemima spoke of, seemed
to be stinging her to the soul, as she proceeded."

"She left it, and, approaching a tub where horses were watered, she sat
down in it, and, with desperate resolution, remained in that
attitude--till resolution was no longer necessary!

"I happened that morning to be going out to wash, anticipating the moment
when I should escape from such hard labour. I passed by, just as some
men, going to work, drew out the stiff, cold corpse--Let me not recal the
horrid moment!--I recognized her pale visage; I listened to the tale told
by the spectators, and my heart did not burst. I thought of my own state,
and wondered how I could be such a monster!--I worked hard; and,
returning home, I was attacked by a fever. I suffered both in body and
mind. I determined not to live with the wretch. But he did not try me; he
left the neighbourhood. I once more returned to the wash-tub.

"Still this state, miserable as it was, admitted of aggravation. Lifting
one day a heavy load, a tub fell against my shin, and gave me great pain.
I did not pay much attention to the hurt, till it became a serious wound;
being obliged to work as usual, or starve. But, finding myself at length
unable to stand for any time, I thought of getting into an hospital.
Hospitals, it should seem (for they are comfortless abodes for the sick)
were expressly endowed for the reception of the friendless; yet I, who
had on that plea a right to assistance, wanted the recommendation of the
rich and respectable, and was several weeks languishing for admittance;
fees were demanded on entering; and, what was still more unreasonable,
security for burying me, that expence not coming into the letter of the
charity. A guinea was the stipulated sum--I could as soon have raised a
million; and I was afraid to apply to the parish for an order, lest they
should have passed me, I knew not whither. The poor woman at whose house
I lodged, compassionating my state, got me into the hospital; and the
family where I received the hurt, sent me five shillings, three and
six-pence of which I gave at my admittance--I know not for what.

"My leg grew quickly better; but I was dismissed before my cure was
completed, because I could not afford to