dropped out of his hands, and he I
remained some time immovable in that ludicrous attitude, with his mouth
open, and his eyes thrust forward considerably beyond their station;
but, remembering my disposition, which was touchy, and impatient of
control, he smothered his chagrin, and attempted to recollect himself.
With this view he endeavoured to laugh, but in spite if his teeth, broke
out in a whimper, took up his wash-ball and pewter-pot, scrubbed my
beard with the one, and discharged the other upon my face. I took no
notice of this confusion, but after he had fully recovered himself, put
him in mind of his right, and assured him of my readiness to surrender
my effects whenever he should think proper to demand them. He was
nettled at my insinuation, which he thought proceeded from my distrust
of his friendship; and begged I would never talk to him in that strain
again, unless I had a mind to break his heart.

This good creature's unalterable friendship for me affected me with
the most grateful sentiments, and acted as a spur to my resolution of
acquiring a fortune, that I might have it in my power to manifest my
generosity in my turn. For this purpose, I determined to bring matters
to a speedy conclusion with Melinda; well knowing that a few such nights
as the last would effectually incapacitate me from prosecuting that or
any other advantageous amour.

While my meditation was busied in planning out my future conduct, Mr.
Banter favoured me with a visit, and after breakfast asked how I
had passed the preceding evening. I answered I was very agreeably
entertained at a private house. "Yes," said he, with a sarcastic smile,
"you deserve something extraordinary for the price you paid." I was
surprised at this remark, and pretended ignorance of his meaning. "Come,
come, Mr. Random," continued he, "you need not make a mystery of it to
me; the whole town has it. I wish that foolish affair between you
and Bragwell at Hampstead had been less public. It has set all the
busybodies at work to find out your real character and situation; and
you cannot imagine what conjectures have already circulated at your
expense. One suspects you to be a Jesuit in disguise; another thinks you
are an agent from the Pretender; a third believes you to be an upstart
gamester, because nobody knows anything of your family or fortune; a
fourth is of opinion that you are an Irish fortune-hunter." This last
hypothesis touched me so nearly that, to conc