 lodgings, took my leave, and went
home in an exstasy; where I disclosed every thing that had happened to my
confident and humble servant Strap, who did not relish the accident so well as I
expected; and observed, that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. - »But
however (said he) you know best - you know best.« - Next day as I went to the
Bath, in hopes of seeing or hearing some tidings of my fair enslaver, I was met
by a gentlewoman, who having looked hard at me, cried, »O Christ! Mr. Random!«
Surprized at this exclamation, I examined the countenance of the person who
spoke, and immediately recognized my old sweet-heart and fellow-sufferer Miss
Williams.
    I was mightily pleased to find this unfortunate woman under such a decent
appearance, professed my joy at seeing her well, and desired to know where I
should have the pleasure of her conversation. She was as heartily rejoiced at
the apparent easiness of my fortune, and gave me to know that she, as yet, had
no habitation that she could properly call her own; but would wait on me at any
place I would please to appoint - Understanding that she was disengaged for the
present, I shewed her the way to my own lodgings, where, after a very
affectionate salutation, she informed me of her being very happy in the service
of a young lady, to whom she was recommended by a former mistress deceased, into
whose family she had introduced herself by the honest deceit she had concerted,
while she lived with me in the garret at London - She then expressed a vehement
desire to be acquainted with the vicissitudes of my life since we parted, and
ascribed her curiosity to the concern she had for my interest - I forthwith
gratified her request, and when I described my situation in Sussex, perceived
her to attend to my story with particular eagerness. She interrupted me when I
had finished that period, with »good God! is it possible,« - and then begged I
would be so good as to continue my relation; which I did as briefly as I could,
burning with impatience to know the cause of her surprize, about which I had
already formed a very interesting conjecture - Having therefore brought my
adventures down to the present day, she seemed very much affected with the
different circumstances of my fortune; and saying with a smile, she believed my
distresses were now at a period, proceeded to inform me, that the lady whom she
served was no other than the charming Narcissa,
