ng for
his fellow-peers; that in consequence of this last capacity, he had
doubtless introduced me to Strutwell, who was so notorious for a passion
for his own sex that he was amazed his character had never reached my
ears; and that, far from being able to obtain for me the post he had
promised, his interest at court was so low, that he could scarce provide
for a superannuated footman once a year in the customs or excise; that
it was a common thing for him to amuse strangers, whom his jackals ran
down, with such assurances and caresses as he had bestowed on me, until
he had stripped them of their cash, and everything valuable about them,
very often of their chastity, and then leave them a prey to want and
infamy: that he allowed his servants no other wages than that part of
the spoil which they could glean by their industry; and the whole of
his conduct towards me was so glaring, that nobody who knew anything of
mankind could have been imposed upon by his insinuations.

I leave the reader to judge how I relished this piece of information,
which precipitated me from the most exalted pinnacle of hope to the
lowest abyss of despondence, and well nigh determined me to take
Banter's advice and finish my chagrin with a halter. I had no room to
suspect the veracity of my friend, because, upon recollection, I found
every circumstance of Strutwell's behaviour exactly tallying with the
character he had described; his hugs, embraces, squeezes, and eager
looks, were now no longer a mystery; no more than his defence of
Petronius, and the jealous frown of his valet-de-chambre, who, it seems,
had been the favourite pathic of his lord.

CHAPTER LII

I attempt to recover my Watch and Jewel, but to no Purpose--resolve to
revenge myself on Strutwell by my Importunity--am reduced to my
last Guinea--obliged to inform Strap of my Necessity, who is almost
distracted with the News, but nevertheless obliged to pawn my best Sword
for present Subsistence--that small Supply being exhausted, I am almost
stupified with my Misfortunes--go to the Gaming Table by the Advice
of Banter, and come off with unexpected Success--Strap's Ecstacy--Mrs.
Gawky waits upon me, professes Remorse for her Perfidy, and implores my
Assistance--I do myself a Piece of Justice by her Means, and afterwards
reconcile her to her Father

I was so confounded that I could make no reply to Banter, who reproached
me with great indignation for having thrown away upon ra