. (Fine gentleman, I suppose she called him, from his being
daubed with lace.) I answered her very naturally, that I had no thoughts
of a husband, but that if I was to choose one, it should be among my own
degree, sure! so much had my aversion to that wretch's hideous figure
indisposed me to all "fine gentlemen," and confounded my ideas, as if
those of that rank had been necessarily cast in the same mould that
he was. But Phoebe was not to be put off so, but went on with her
endeavours to melt and soften me for the purposes of my reception into
that hospitable house: and whilst she talked of the sex in general, she
had no reason to despair of a compliance, which more than one reason
showed her would be easily enough obtained of me; but then she had too
much experience not to discover that my particular fixed aversion to
that frightful cousin would be a block not so readily to be removed, as
suited the consummation of their bargain, and sale of me.

Mother Brown had in the meantime agreed the terms with this loquorice
old goat, which I afterwards understood were to be fifty guineas
peremptory, for the liberty of attempting me, and a hundred more at the
complete gratification of his desires, in the triumph over my virginity:
and as for me, I was to be left entirely at the discretion of his liking
and generosity. This unrighteous contract being thus settled, he was so
eager to be put in possession, that he insisted on being introduced to
drink tea with me that afternoon, when we were to be left alone; nor
would he hearken to the procuress's remonstrances, that I was not
sufficiently prepared, and ripened for such an attack; that I was too
green and untamed, having been scarce twenty-four hours in the house:
it is the character of lust to be impatient, and his vanity arming him
against any supposition of other than the common resistance of a maid
on those occasions, made him reject all proposals of a delay, and my
dreadful trial was thus fixed, unknown to me, for that very evening.

At dinner, Mrs. Brown and Phoebe did nothing but run riot in praise of
this wonderful cousin, and how happy that woman would be that he would
favour with his addresses; in short my two gossips exhausted all
their rhetoric to persuade me to accept them: "that the gentleman was
violently smitten with me at first sight; that he would make my fortune
if I would be a good girl and not stand in my own light; that I should
trust his honour; that I shou