th the
circumstances of her conduct towards me, which seemed to bear too great
a resemblance to the picture he had drawn. This introduced a melancholy
reflection on the expense I had undergone, and the smallness of my funds
to support it, which, by-the-by, were none of my own. In short, I found
myself involved in doubts and perplexities, that kept me awake the
greatest part of the night.

In the morning, Strap, with whom I had not conversed for two days,
presented himself with the utensils for shaving me; upon which, I
asked his opinion of the lady he had seen me conduct to her coach at
Hampstead. "Odds! she's a delicious creature!" cried he, "and, as I am
informed, a great fortune. I am sorry you did not insist on going home
with her. I dare say, she would not have refused your company; for she
seems to be a good-humoured soul." "There's a time for all things," said
I, "you must know, Strap, I was in company with her till one o'clock
this morning." I had no sooner pronounced these words than he began to
caper about the room, and snap his fingers, crying in a transport, "The
day's our own--the day's our own!" I gave him to understand that his
triumph was a little premature, and that I had more difficulties to
surmount than he was aware of; then I recounted to him the intelligence
I had received from Banter. At which he changed colour, shook his head,
and observed there was no faith in woman. I told him I was resolved to
make a bold push notwithstanding, although I foresaw it would lead me
into a great expense; and bade him guess the sum I had lost last night
at cards. He scratched his chin, and protested his abhorrence of cards,
the very name of which being mentioned, made him sweat with vexation, as
it recalled the money-dropper to his remembrance. "But, however," said
he, "you have to do with other guess people now. Why, I suppose, if you
had a bad run last night, you would scarce come off for less than ten or
twelve shilling." I was mortified at this piece of simplicity, which
I imagined, at that time, was all affected by way of reprimand for my
folly; and asked with some heat if he thought I had spent the evening
in a cellar with chairmen and bunters; giving him to know, at the same
time, that my expense had amounted to eighteen guineas.

It would require the pencil of Hogarth to express the astonishment and
concern of Strap on hearing this piece of news; the basin, in which he
was preparing the lather for my chin,