the West Chester coach,
I knew not which; but whichsoever it was, he would be sure to come to
that house to meet me.

My landlady was mighty glad to see me, and my landlord made such a stir
with me, that if I had been a princess I could not have been better
used, and here I might have been welcome a month or two if I had
thought fit.

But my business was of another nature. I was very uneasy (though so
well disguised that it was scarce possible to detect me) lest this
fellow should somehow or other find me out; and though he could not
charge me with this robbery, having persuaded him not to venture, and
having also done nothing in it myself but run away, yet he might have
charged me with other things, and have bought his own life at the
expense of mine.

This filled me with horrible apprehensions. I had no recourse, no
friend, no confidante but my old governess, and I knew no remedy but to
put my life in her hands, and so I did, for I let her know where to
send to me, and had several letters from her while I stayed here. Some
of them almost scared me out my wits but at last she sent me the joyful
news that he was hanged, which was the best news to me that I had heard
a great while.

I had stayed here five weeks, and lived very comfortably indeed (the
secret anxiety of my mind excepted); but when I received this letter I
looked pleasantly again, and told my landlady that I had received a
letter from my spouse in Ireland, that I had the good news of his being
very well, but had the bad news that his business would not permit him
to come away so soon as he expected, and so I was like to go back again
without him.

My landlady complimented me upon the good news however, that I had
heard he was well. 'For I have observed, madam,' says she, 'you hadn't
been so pleasant as you used to be; you have been over head and ears in
care for him, I dare say,' says the good woman; ''tis easy to be seen
there's an alteration in you for the better,' says she. 'Well, I am
sorry the esquire can't come yet,' says my landlord; 'I should have
been heartily glad to have seen him. But I hope, when you have certain
news of his coming, you'll take a step hither again, madam,' says he;
'you shall be very welcome whenever you please to come.'

With all these fine compliments we parted, and I came merry enough to
London, and found my governess as well pleased as I was. And now she
told me she would never recommend any partner to me aga