rybody by this time had got an inventory of my wardrobe. For which
reason I disposed of a good part of my apparel to a salesman in Monmouth
Street for half the value, and bought two new suits with the money. I
likewise purchased a plain gold watch, despairing of recovering that
which I had so foolishly given to Strutwell, whom, notwithstanding,
I still continued to visit at his levee, until the ambassador he had
mentioned set out with a secretary of his own choosing. I thought myself
then at liberty to expostulate with his lordship, whom I treated with
great freedom in a letter, for amusing me with vain hopes, when he
neither had the power nor inclination to provide for me. Nor was I less
reserved with Straddle, whom I in person reproached for misrepresenting
to me the character of Strutwell, which I did not scruple to aver was
infamous in every respect. He seemed very much enraged at my freedom,
talked a great deal about his quality and honour, and began to make some
comparisons which I thought so injurious to mine, that I demanded an
explanation with great warmth, and he was mean enough to equivocate, and
condescend in such a manner that I left him with a hearty contempt of
his behaviour.

About this time, Banter, who had observed a surprising and sudden
alteration in my appearance and disposition, began to inquire very
minutely into the cause, and, as I did not think fit to let him know the
true state of the affair, lest he might make free with my purse, on the
strength of having proposed the scheme that filled it, I told him that
I had received a small supply from a relation in the country, who at the
same time had proffered to use all his interest (which was not small) in
soliciting some post for me that should make me easy for life. "If that
be the case," said Banter, "perhaps you won't care to mortify yourself
a little in making your fortune another way. I have a relation who is to
set out for Bath next week, with an only daughter, who being sickly and
decrepit, intends to drink the waters for the recovery of her health.
Her father, who was a rich Turkey merchant, died about a year ago,
and left her with a fortune of twenty thousand pounds, under the sole
management of her mother, who is my kinswoman. I would have put in for
the plate myself, but there is a breach at present between the old woman
and me. You must know, that some time ago I borrowed a small sum of
her and promised, it seems, to pay it before a cert