 for there was
not a Glimpse of Light, and opening the Curtains, he whispered in Joseph's Voice
(for he was an excellent Mimick) »Fanny, my Angel, I am come to inform thee that
I have discovered the Falshood of the Story we last Night heard. I am no longer
thy Brother, but they Lover; nor will I be delayed the Enjoyment of thee one
Moment longer. You have sufficient Assurances of my Constancy not to doubt my
marrying you, and it would be want of Love to deny me the possession of thy
Charms.« - So saying, he disencumbered himself from the little Clothes he had
on, and leaping into Bed, embraced his Angel, as he conceived her, with great
Rapture. If he was surprized at receiving no Answer, he was no less pleased to
find his Hug returned with equal Ardour. He remained not long in this sweet
Confusion; for both he and his Paramour presently discovered their Error. Indeed
it was no other than the accomplished Slipslop whom he had engaged; but tho' she
immediately knew the Person whom she had mistaken for Joseph, he was at a loss
to guess at the Representative of Fanny. He had so little seen or taken notice
of this Gentlewoman, that Light itself would have afforded him no Assistance in
his Conjecture. Beau Didapper no sooner had perceived his Mistake, than he
attempted to escape from the Bed with much greater Haste than he had made to it;
but the watchful Slipslop prevented him. For that prudent Woman being
disappointed of those delicious Offerings which her Fancy had promised her
Pleasure, resolved to make an immediate Sacrifice to her Virtue. Indeed she
wanted an Opportunity to heal some Wounds which her late Conduct had, she
feared, given her Reputation; and as she had a wonderful Presence of Mind, she
conceived the Person of the unfortunate Beau to be luckily thrown in her way to
restore her Lady's Opinion of her impregnable Chastity. At that instant
therefore, when he offered to leap from the Bed, she caught fast hold of his
Shirt, at the same time roaring out, »O thou Villain! who hast attacked my
Chastity, and I believe ruined me in my Sleep; I will swear a Rape against thee,
I will prosecute thee with the utmost Vengeance.« The Beau attempted to get
loose, but she held him fast, and when he struggled, she cry'd out, »Murther!
Murther! Rape! Robbery! Ruin!« At which Words Parson Adams, who lay in the next
Chamber, wakeful and meditating on the Pedlar's Discovery
