Didactic fiction; Domestic fiction; England -- Fiction; Married women -- Fiction
In the morning hunger paid him a second visit, and found him again in
the same situation as before. After some deliberation, therefore, he
resolved to ask Robinson to lend him a shilling or two of that money
which was lately his own. And this experiments he thought, would confirm
him either in a good or evil opinion of that gentleman.
To this demand Robinson answered, with great alacrity, that he should
very gladly have complied, had not fortune played one of her jade tricks
with him: “for since my winning of you,” said he, “I have been stript
not only of your money but my own.” He was going to harangue farther;
but Booth, with great indignation, turned from him.
This poor gentleman had very little time to reflect on his own misery,
or the rascality, as it appeared to him, of the other, when the same
person who had the day before delivered him the guinea from the unknown
hand, again accosted him, and told him a lady in the house (so he
expressed himself) desired the favour of his company.
Mr. Booth immediately obeyed the message, and was conducted into a room
in the prison, where he was presently convinced that Mrs. Vincent was no
other than his old acquaintance Miss Matthews.
Chapter vi
_Containing the extraordinary behaviour of Miss Matthews on her meeting
with Booth, and some endeavours to prove, by reason and authority, that
it is possible for a woman to appear to be what she really is not._
Eight or nine years had past since any interview between Mr. Booth
and Miss Matthews; and their meeting now in so extraordinary a place
affected both of them with an equal surprize.
After some immaterial ceremonies, the lady acquainted Mr. Booth that,
having heard there was a person in the prison who knew her by the name
of Matthews, she had great curiosity to inquire who he was, whereupon he
had been shewn to her from the window of the house; that she immediately
recollected him, and, being informed of his distressful situation, for
which she expressed great concern, she had sent him that guinea which
he had received the day before; and then proceeded to excuse herself
for not having desired to see him at that time, when she was under the
greatest disorder and hurry of spirits.
Booth made many handsome acknowledgments of her favour; and added that
he very little wondered at the disorder of her spirits, concluding that
he was heartily concerned at seeing her there; “but I hope, madam,” said
he--
Here he hesitated; upon which, bursting into an agony of tears, she
cried out, “O captain! captain! many extraordinary things have passed
since last I saw you. O gracious heaven! did I ever expect that this
would be the next place of our meeting?”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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