 affected passion,
swearing I would be his pack-horse no longer, and desiring him to take the
management of his affairs into his own hand. This finesse had the desired
effect, for instead of grumbling over my miscarriage, Strap was frightened at
the passion I feigned, and begged me for the love of God to be appeased;
observing, that although we had suffered a great loss, it was not irreparable;
and if fortune frowned today, she might perhaps smile to-morrow. - I pretended
to acquiesce in his remarks, praise his equanimity, and promise to improve by
misfortune. - He, on the other hand, pretended to be perfectly well satisfied
with my conduct, and conjured me to follow the dictates of my own reflection;
but in spite of all his affectation, I could perceive his inward affliction, and
his visage sensibly increased in longitude from that day.
 

                                   Chapter L

I long to be revenged on Melinda -- apply to Banter for his assistance -- he
contrives a scheme for that purpose, which is put in execution with great
success -- I make an attempt on the heart of Miss Gripewell, but am disappointed
-- I grow melancholy at my disappointment, and have recourse to the Bottle --
receive a billet doux -- am ravished with the contents - find myself involved in
an intrigue, which I imagined would make my fortune -- am counfounded at my
mistake, which banishes all thoughts of matrimony
 
In the mean time, my attention was wholly engrossed in search of another
mistress, and the desire of being revenged on Melinda, in both which schemes I
was very much assisted by Billy Chatter, who was such a necessary creature among
the ladies, that in all private dances he engaged the men. - To him therefore I
applied, desiring he would introduce me to a partner of some figure, at the next
private assembly, for the sake of a frolick, the intention of which I would
afterwards communicate. Billy, who had heard something of a difference between
Melinda and me, immediately smoaked part of my design, and thinking I only
wanted to alarm her jealousy a little, promised to gratify my desire, by
matching me with a partner worth thirty thousand pounds, whom the ladies of this
end of the town, had lately taken into their management and protection. - Upon
further inquiry, I found this person's name was Miss Biddy Gripewell, that her
father, who had been a pawnbroker, died intestate, by which means all his
substance descended to this daughter, who was so little a favourite, that could
the old man
