 be assured of
these circumstances of her fortune; but advised him to do nothing rashly, and
give me an opportunity of seeing the lady before matters should be brought to a
conclusion. - He assured me he would do nothing without my consent and
approbation, and that very morning, while I was at breakfast, introduced his
innamorata to my acquaintance. - She was a short thick woman, about the age of
thirty-six, and had a particular prominence of belly, which I perceived at first
sight, not without some suspicion of foul play. - I desired her, however, to
sit, and treated her with a dish of tea; the discourse turning on the good
qualities of Strap, whom I represented as a prodigy of sobriety, industry and
virtue. - When she took her leave, he followed her to the door, and returned
licking his lips, and asking if I did not think she was a luscious creature. - I
made no mystery of my apprehension, but declared my sentiments of her without
reserve; at which he was not surprized, telling me, he had observed the same
symptom, but was informed by his friend that she was only livergrown, and would
in a few months be as small in the Waist as ever. - »Yes, (said I) a few weeks,
I believe, will do the business. - In short, Strap, it is my opinion, that you
are egregiously imposed upon; and that this friend is no other than a rascal who
wants to palm his trull upon you for a wife, that he may at once deliver himself
from the importunities of the mother, and the expence of her bantling; for which
reason I would not have you trust implicitly to the report he makes of her
wealth, which is inconsistent with his behaviour; nor run your head
precipitately into a noose, that you may afterwards wished exchanged for the
hangman's«. He seemed very much startled at my insinuation, and promised to look
twice before he leaped; saying, with some heat, »Odd, if I find his intention is
to betray me, we shall see which of us is the better man.« - My prediction was
verified in less than a fortnight; her great belly producing an infant, to the
unspeakable amazement of Strap, who was, before this happened, inclinable to
believe I had refined a little too much in my penetration. His false friend
disappeared, and in a few days after, an execution was issued against her goods
and household-furniture, which were seized by the creditors.
    Mean while
