hy do you mock me in that humble
posture! Rise, Sir! I cannot speak to you else.

I rose.

Only, Sir, take this ring. I have a sister, who will be glad to have it,
at the price it shall be valued at, for the former owner's sake!--Out of
the money she gives, let this man be paid! handsomely paid: and I have a
few valuables more at my lodging, (Dorcas, or the MAN William, can tell
where that is;) let them, and my clothes at the wicked woman's, where you
have seen me, be sold for the payment of my lodging first, and next of
your friend's debts, that I have been arrested for, as far as they will
go; only reserving enough to put me into the ground, any where, or any
how, no matter----Tell your friend, I wish it may be enough to satisfy
the whole demand; but if it be not, he must make it up himself; or, if he
think fit to draw for it on Miss Howe, she will repay it, and with
interest, if he insist upon it.----And this, Sir, if you promise to
perform, you will do me, as you offer, both pleasure and service: and say
you will, and take the ring and withdraw. If I want to say any thing
more to you (you seem to be an humane man) I will let you know----and so,
Sir, God bless you!

I approached her, and was going to speak----

Don't speak, Sir: here's the ring.

I stood off.

And won't you take it? won't you do this last office for me?--I have no
other person to ask it of; else, believe me, I would not request it of
you. But take it, or not, laying it upon the table----you must withdraw,
Sir: I am very ill. I would fain get a little rest, if I could. I find
I am going to be bad again.

And offering to rise, she sunk down through excess of weakness and grief,
in a fainting fit.

Why, Lovelace, was thou not present thyself?----Why dost thou commit such
villanies, as even thou art afraid to appear in; and yet puttest a weaker
heart and head upon encountering with them?

The maid coming in just then, the woman and she lifted her up on a
decrepit couch; and I withdrew with this Rowland; who wept like a child,
and said, he never in his life was so moved.

Yet so hardened a wretch art thou, that I question whether thou wilt shed
a tear at my relation.

They recovered her by hartshorn and water. I went down mean while; for
the detestable woman had been below some time. O how I did curse her! I
never before was so fluent in curses.

She tried to wheedle me; but I renounced her; and, after she had
dismissed the actio