him, at which message
the physician started from his melancholy contemplation, and, with a
look of extreme confusion, assured the company he could not possibly be
the person wanted, for he had no connection with any lady whatever, and
bade the drawer tell her so. "For shame!" cried Banter; "would you be
so impolite as to refuse a lady a hearing? perhaps she comes for a
consultation. It must be some extraordinary affair that brings a lady
to a tavern at this time of night. Mr. Ranter, pray do the doctor's
base-mains to the lady, and squire her hither." The player immediately
staggered out, and returned, leading in with much ceremony, a tall
strapping wench, whose appearance proclaimed her occupation. We received
her with the utmost solemnity, and with a good deal of entreaty she was
persuaded to sit, when a profound silence ensued, during which she fixed
her eyes, with a disconsolate look, upon the doctor, who was utterly
confounded at her behaviour, and returned her melancholy fourfold;
at length, after a good many piteous sighs, she wiped her eyes, and
accosted him thus: "What! not one word of comfort? Will nothing soften
that stony heart of thine? Not all my tears! not all my affliction! not
the inevitable ruin thou hast brought upon me! Where are thy vows, thou
faithless, perjured man? Hast thou no honour--no conscience--no remorse
for thy perfidious conduct towards me? Answer me, wilt thou at last do
me justice, or must I have recourse to heaven or hell for my revenge?"
If poor Wagtail was amazed before she spoke, what must his confusion
be on hearing this address! His natural paleness changed into a ghastly
clay colour, his eyes rolled, his lip trembled, and he answered in an
accent not to be described, "Upon my word, honour, and salvation,
madam, you are actually mistaken in my person. I have a most particular
veneration for your sex, and, am actually incapable of injuring any
lady in the smallest degree, madam; besides, madam, to the best of my
recollection, I never had the honour of seeing you before, as I hope to
be saved, madam!" "How, traitor!" cried she, "dost thou disown me then?
Mistaken! no, too well I know that fair bewitching face! too well I know
that false enchanting tongue! Alas! gentlemen, since the villain compels
me by his unkindness, to expose myself and him, know that this betrayer,
under the specious pretence of honourable addresses, won my heart, and
taking advantage of his conquest, robbed me