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CHAP.  X.

    How the Goldsmiths Wife went to the Bawd, and gave her an Account how
    she had serv’d her Treacherous Gallant; and how the Bawd related
    several of her own Exploits, &c_ In a short History of her Life._

About a week after poor Mr. Bramble had been so miserably handled by the Contrivance of the old Bawd, and the Splenetick and Vindictive Temper of the Goldsmith’s Wife; whereby she doubled on himself all the Design he had of Cheating her:  She thought upon the Promise she had made to the Old Bawd, of giving her a Visit, and Enlarging her Gratuity:  For she saw clearly now her Words were True, and Bramble made a full account to Cheat her, tho’ ’twas by the Exposing of her Honour, which she cou’d never have retriev’d had it not been for the old Bawd’s Advice; altho’ indeed, when she had put her in the way, she did her self improve it further to her own Advantage.

She therefore took Ten Guineas in her Pocket, which she believ’d she had deserv’d; and which she also thought wou’d so engage her, that she need not fear Discovery.  And being come to her House, (to find which she before had given her Directions) she had no sooner ask’d for her, but found her; and the old Bawd taking her up into her Dining-Room, told her, that she was glad too see her in her poor Habitation. O Mother, says the She-Goldsmith, I found that Treacherous Villain the same false man you represented him; and if I had’nt took your Counsel, my Honour had been Ruin’d; for the insipid Sot told all that e’er had past between us to my Husband; but thanks to my good Stars, & your sage Counsel, I clearly got the Ascendant over him, for which I here present you with a farther Testimony of my Gratuity. The Bawd, (who met with such large Fees but seldom) was so well pleas’d with her Ingenuous and generous Temper, that she both thank’d her heartily for what she had presented her and told her that if hereafter she cou’d by any means oblige her, she wou’d be sure to do it:  For I assure you, added she, that Trading now is very Dead, and I have got but little Custom.—­This made the Gentlewoman ask her what Trade she follow’d (for she was Ignorant she was a Bawd)—­Madam, reply’d the old Crone, You have so far engag’d me by your Generosity, I can deny you nothing; and therefore if you please, I’ll give you the History of my Life:  In which you may perhaps find something that may be diverting:  For I have in my time run through varieties of Changes, and met with very odd Rencounters:  Which if I may not too much Trespass on your patience, I’ll relate to you with all the Brevity I can.—­To which, with an obliging Bow, the Gentlewoman told her, she shou’d esteem herself indebted to her for so great an Obligation.—­And then the Bawd began as followeth.

Madam,

Before I give you that Account of my Life which I design, I think my self obliged first of all, to answer the Question you were pleas’d to put to me, viz.  What Trade or Calling ’tis I follow_, the knowledge of which, will make that I shall afterwards relate, the more Intelligible to you._