 other upon my face. - I took no notice
of his confusion, but after he had fully recovered himself, put him in mind of
his right, and assured him of my readiness to surrender his effects whenever he
should think proper to demand them. - He was nettled at my insinuation, which he
thought proceeded from my distrust of his friendship; and begged I would never
talk to him in that strain again, unless I had a mind to break his heart.
    This good creature's unalterable friendship for me affected me with the most
grateful sentiments, and acted as a spur to my resolution of acquiring a
fortune, that I might have it in my power to manifest my generosity in my turn.
- For this purpose, I determined to bring matters to a speedy conclusion with
Melinda; well knowing that a few such nights as the last, would effectually
incapacitate me from prosecuting that, or any other advantageous amour.
    While my meditation was busied in planning out my future conduct, Mr. Banter
favoured me with a visit; and after breakfast, asked how I had passed the
preceeding evening - I answered, I was very agreeably entertained at a private
house. - »Yes, (said he, with a sarcastic smile) you deserved something
extraordinary for the price you paid.« - I was surprised at his remark, and
pretended ignorance of his meaning. - »Come, come, Random (continued he) you
need not make a mystery of it to me, the whole town has it. I wish that foolish
affair between you and Bragwell at Hampstead had been less publick - It has set
all the busy bodies at work to find out your real character and situation; and
you cannot imagine what conjectures have already circulated at your expence: One
suspects you to be Jesuit in disguise; another believes you are an agent from
the Pretender; a third believes you to be an upstart gamester, because no body
knows any thing of your family or fortune; a fourth is of opinion, that you are
an Irish fortune-hunter.« - This last hypothesis touched me so near, that, to
conceal my confusion, I was fain to interrupt his detail, and damn the world for
an envious meddling community, that would not suffer a gentleman to live without
molestation. He took no notice of this apostrophe, but went on, »For my own
part, I neither know nor desire to know, who, or what you are; this I am certain
of, that few people make a mystery of their origin and situation, who can boast
of any thing advantageous
