some Weeks, during which Time I contracted an
Acquaintance with a beautiful young Girl, the Daughter of a Gentleman, who after
having been forty Years in the Army, and in all the Campaigns under the Duke of
Marlborough, died a Lieutenant on Half-Pay; and had left a Widow with this only
Child, in very distrest Circumstances: they had only a small Pension from the
Government, with what little the Daughter could add to it by her Work; for she
had great Excellence at her Needle. This Girl was at my first Acquaintance with
her, sollicited in Marriage by a young Fellow in good Circumstances. He was
Apprentice to a Linen-draper, and had a little Fortune sufficient to set up his
Trade. The Mother was greatly pleased with this Match, as indeed she had
sufficient Reason. However, I soon prevented it. I represented him in so low a
Light to his Mistress, and made so good an Use of Flattery, Promises, and
Presents, that, not to dwell longer on this Subject than is necessary, I
prevailed with the poor Girl, and convey'd her away from her Mother! In a word,
I debauched her. - (At which Words, Adams started up, fetch'd three Strides
cross the Room, and then replaced himself in his Chair.) You are not more
affected with this Part of my Story than myself: I assure you it will never be
sufficiently repented of in my own Opinion: But if you already detest it, how
much more will your Indignation be raised when you hear the fatal Consequences
of this barbarous, this villainous Action? If you please therefore, I will here
desist. - »By no means,« cries Adams, »Go on, I beseech you, and Heaven grant
you may sincerely repent of this and many other things you have related.« - I
was now, continued the Gentleman, as happy as the Possession of a fine young
Creature, who had a good Education, and was endued with many agreeable
Qualities, could make me. We liv'd some Months with vast Fondness together,
without any Company or Conversation more than we found in one another: But this
could not continue always; and tho' I still preserved a great Affection for her,
I began more and more to want the Relief of other Company, and consequently to
leave her by degrees, at last, whole Days to herself. She failed not to testify
some Uneasiness on these Occasions, and complained of the melancholy Life she
led; to remedy which, I introduced her into the Acquaintance of