Then turning to the officer, Mr. Rowland I think your name is?  I am better reconciled to your house than I was at first.  If you can but engage that I shall have nobody come near me but your wife, (no man!) and neither of those women who have sported with my calamities, I will die with you, and in this very corner.  And you shall be well satisfied for the trouble you have had with me—­I have value enough for that—­for, see, I have a diamond ring; taking it out of her bosom; and I have friends will redeem it at a high price, when I am gone.

But for you, Sir, looking at me, I beg you to withdraw.  If you mean well by me, God, I hope, will reward you for your good meaning; but to the friend of my destroyer will I not owe an obligation.

You will owe no obligation to me, nor to any body.  You have been detained for a debt you do not owe.  The action is dismissed; and you will only be so good as to give me your hand into the coach, which stands as near to this house as it could draw up.  And I will either leave you at the coach-door, or attend you whithersoever you please, till I see you safe where you would wish to be.

Will you then, Sir, compel me to be beholden to you?

You will inexpressibly oblige me, Madam, to command me to do you either service or pleasure.

Why then, Sir, [looking at me]—­but why do you mock me in that humble posture!  Rise, Sir!  I cannot speak to you else.

I rose.

Only, Sir, take this ring.  I have a sister, who will be glad to have it, at the price it shall be valued at, for the former owner’s sake!—­Out of the money she gives, let this man be paid! handsomely paid:  and I have a few valuables more at my lodging, (Dorcas, or the man William, can tell where that is;) let them, and my clothes at the wicked woman’s, where you have seen me, be sold for the payment of my lodging first, and next of your friend’s debts, that I have been arrested for, as far as they will go; only reserving enough to put me into the ground, any where, or any how, no matter——­Tell your friend, I wish it may be enough to satisfy the whole demand; but if it be not, he must make it up himself; or, if he think fit to draw for it on Miss Howe, she will repay it, and with interest, if he insist upon it.——­And this, Sir, if you promise to perform, you will do me, as you offer, both pleasure and service:  and say you will, and take the ring and withdraw.  If I want to say any thing more to you (you seem to be an humane man) I will let you know——­and so, Sir, God bless you!

I approached her, and was going to speak——­

Don’t speak, Sir:  here’s the ring.

I stood off.

And won’t you take it? won’t you do this last office for me?—­I have no other person to ask it of; else, believe me, I would not request it of you.  But take it, or not, laying it upon the table——­you must withdraw, Sir:  I am very ill.  I would fain get a little rest, if I could.  I find I am going to be bad again.