th impatience,
seeing me arrive in the utmost disorder, stood motionless with
apprehension, and durst not inquire into the cause.

After I had washed my mouth, more than once, and recruited my spirits
with a glass of wine, I recounted to him every particular of what had
happened; to which he made no other reply for some time than lifting up
his eyes, clasping his hands, and uttering a hollow groan. At length he
observed, in a melancholy tone, that it was a thousand pities my organs
were so delicate as to be offended with the smell of garlic. "Ah! God
help us," said he, "'tis not the steams of garlic, no, nor of something
else, that would give me the least uneasiness--see what it is to be a
cobler's son!" I replied hastily, "I wish then you would go and retrieve
my miscarriage." At this suggestion he started, forced a smile, and
left the room, shaking his head. Whether the old gentlewoman resented
my abrupt departure so much that her love changed into disdain, or was
ashamed to see me on account of her infirmity, I know not; but I was
never troubled again with her passion.

CHAPTER LI

I cultivate an Acquaintance with two Noblemen--am introduced to earl
Strutwell--his kind Promise and Invitation--the Behaviour of his
Porter and Lacquey--he receives me with an Appearance of uncommon
Affection--undertakes to speak in my Behalf to the Minister--informs
me of his Success, and wishes me Joy--introduces a Conversation about
Fetronius Arbiter--falls in Love with my Watch, which I press upon
him--I make a present of a Diamond Ring to Lord Straddle--impart my good
Fortune to Strap and Banter, who disabuses me, to my utter Mortification

Baffled hitherto in my matrimonial schemes, I began to question my
talents for the science of fortune-hunting, and to bend my thoughts
towards some employment under the government. With the view of procuring
which, I cultivated the acquaintance of Lords Straddle and Swillpot,
whose fathers were men of interest at court. I found these young
noblemen as open to my advances as I could desire; I accompanied them
in their midnight rambles, and often dined with them at taverns, where I
had the honour of paying the reckoning.

I one day took the opportunity, while I was loaded with protestations of
friendship, to disclose my desire of being settled in some sinecure, and
to solicit their influence in my behalf. Swillpot, squeezing my hand,
said, I might depend upon his service by G--. The oth