 landlady, who still persisted in
her threats to turn her out into the street. - After having moralized upon these
particulars, I proposed that she should lodge in the same room with me, which
would save some money; and assured her I would myself undertake her cure as well
as my own, during which she should partake of all the conveniences I could
afford to myself. - She embraced my offer with unfeigned acknowledgment, and I
began to put it in practice immediately. - I found to my great satisfaction, in
her, not only an agreeable companion, whose conversation greatly alleviated my
chagrin, but also a careful nurse, who served me with the utmost fidelity and
affection. One day, while I testified my surprise that a woman of her beauty,
good sense, and education (for she had a large portion of each) could be reduced
to such an infamous and miserable way of life as that of a prostitute; she
answered with a sigh, »These very advantages were the cause of my undoing.« -
This remarkable reply inflamed my curiosity to such a degree, that I begged she
would favour me with the particulars of her story, and she complied in these
words.
 

                                  Chapter XXII

                          The history of Miss Williams
 
My father was an eminent merchant in the city, who having, in the course of
trade, suffered very considerable losses, retired in his old age with his wife
to a small estate in the country, which he had purchased with the remains of his
fortune. - At that time I being but eight years of age, was left in town for the
convenience of education; boarded with an aunt, who was a rigid Presbyterian,
and who confined me so closely to what she called the duties of religion, that
in time I grew weary of her doctrines, and by degrees conceived an aversion for
the good books she daily recommended to my perusal. As I increased in age, and
appeared with a person not disagreeable, I contracted a good deal of
acquaintance among my own sex; one of whom, after having lamented the restraint
I was under from the narrowness of my aunt's sentiments, told me, I must now
throw off the prejudices of opinion imbibed under her influence and example, and
learn to think for myself; - for which purpose she advised me to read
Shaftsbury, Tindal, Hobbs, and all the books that are remarkable for their
deviation from the old way of thinking, and by comparing one with another, I
would soon be able to form a system of my own. - I followed her advice, and
whether it was
