 I) is above stairs, unhurt by me, and will a few months hence (I believe)
reward your concern.« - Here she called to them herself, and desired they would
let the wretch go, and trouble themselves no farther about him. - To which her
father consented, observing nevertheless, that my conversation was fort
mystérieux. - Finding it impossible to vindicate my innocence, I left the house
immediately, and went to the schoolmaster, with an intention of clearing myself
to him, and asking his advice with regard to my future conduct; but to my
inexpressible vexation, was told he was gone to the country, where he would stay
two or three days. - I returned with a design of consulting some acquaintance I
had acquired in my master's neighbourhood; but my story had taken air, through
the officiousness of the servants, and not one of my friends would vouchsafe me
a hearing. - Thus I found myself, by the iniquity of mankind, in a much more
deplorable condition than ever: for though I had been formerly as poor, my
reputation was without blemish, and my health unimpaired till now; - but at
present my good name was lost, my money gone, my friends were alienated, my body
infected by a distemper contracted in the course of an amour; and my faithful
Strap, who alone could yield me pity and assistance, absent I knew not where.
    The first resolution I could take in this melancholy conjuncture, was to
remove my cloaths to the house of the person with whom I had formerly lodg'd;
there I remained two days, in hopes of getting another place, by the interest of
Mr. Concordance, to whom I made no doubt of being able to vindicate my
character; - but in this I reckoned without my host, for Lavement took care to
be beforehand with me, and when I attempted to explain the whole affair to the
schoolmaster, I found him so prepossessed against me, that he would scarce hear
me to an end; but when I had finished my justification, shook his head, and
beginning with his usual exclamation, »O Ch-st! said, that won't go down with
me. - I am very sorry I should have the misfortune of being concerned in the
affair, but however shall be more cautious for the future - I will trust no man
from henceforward - no, not my father who begat me - nor the brother who lay
with me in my mother's womb - should the genius of truth appear I would question
its veracity; and if Daniel
