t her mother, Madam
Roxana was her mother then, for one of them, she was sure, was her
mother; and then all this that Amy had done for her was by Madam
Roxana's order. "And I am sure," says she, "it was my Lady Roxana's
coach that brought the gentlewoman, whoever it was, to my uncle's in
Spitalfields, for the coachman told me so." Amy fell a-laughing at her
aloud, as was her usual way; but, as Amy told me, it was but on one
side of her mouth, for she was so confounded at her discourse, that she
was ready to sink into the ground; and so was I too when she told it me.

However, Amy brazened her out of it all; told her, "Well, since you
think you are so high-born as to be my Lady Roxana's daughter, you may
go to her and claim your kindred, can't you? I suppose," says Amy, "you
know where to find her?" She said she did not question to find her, for
she knew where she was gone to live privately; but, though, she might be
removed again. "For I know how it is," says she, with a kind of a smile
or a grin; "I know how it all is, well enough."

Amy was so provoked, that she told me, in short, she began to think it
would be absolutely necessary to murder her. That expression filled me
with horror, all my blood ran chill in my veins, and a fit of trembling
seized me, that I could not speak a good while; at last. "What, is the
devil in you, Amy?" said I. "Nay, nay," says she, "let it be the devil
or not the devil, if I thought she knew one tittle of your history, I
would despatch her if she were my own daughter a thousand times." "And
I," says I in a rage, "as well as I love you, would be the first that
should put the halter about your neck, and see you hanged with more
satisfaction than ever I saw you in my life; nay," says I, "you would
not live to be hanged, I believe I should cut your throat with my own
hand; I am almost ready to do it," said I, "as 'tis, for your but
naming the thing." With that, I called her cursed devil, and bade her
get out of the room.

I think it was the first time that ever I was angry with Amy in all my
life; and when all was done, though she was a devilish jade in having
such a thought, yet it was all of it the effect of her excess of
affection and fidelity to me.

But this thing gave me a terrible shock, for it happened just after I
was married, and served to hasten my going over to Holland; for I would
not have been seen, so as to be known by the name of Roxana, no, not for
ten thousand pounds; it