The English Rogue: Continued in the Life of Meriton Latroon, and Other Extravagants: The Second PartHead, Richard
General
The English Rogue: Continued in the Life of Meriton Latroon, and Other Extravagants: The Second Part
Head, Richard
Rogues and vagabonds -- England -- Fiction
This, continued Mrs. _Mary_ was my beginning, or entrance into my
publick profession, and indeed, I cannot well call it publick, for I was
private and reserved: not admitting any more servants but this one, in
one moneth; and indeed, in the first half year, I had but three, but
they were so bountiful, that I had wherewithal to satisfie my self in
every thing: having in Jewels, and other presents to the value of
100_l._ Neither had I any thing to pay for diet, or lodging, the charge
of that being always born by our _Matrona_, who I found had gained above
60_l._ in mony, for procuration, and assistance in winning me; besides,
a great deal more mony spent at her house in Collations, &
entertainments for me, which were very frequent and costly. The trade
for Maiden-heads falling, the price being so great, I was now forced to
fight under another Banner, and though I did not pass for a maid; yet I
was accounted in the next degree, for I passed as the Mistress, or Lady
of Pleasure, of a Person of Quality, who kept me as a great rarity for
his own dyet; and indeed I did not much deceive my first customers upon
that account; for whereas I went under the notion of belonging to one
Person, I did belong to but three: and I was forced to play my game
pretty cunningly to please them, and not give them suspition of one
another, for they being all introduced into my acquaintance by our
_Matrona_, or some of her Agents, she did help to manage my affairs; and
when she knew I was to accompany, or lye with one of my sweet hearts,
she would tell the other, if he or they desired the same, that it could
not be for the present, for either, I was waiting on my Uncle, or some
other relation, or otherwise employed, that I must be excused at the
present: but against such a time, she would endeavour to procure me to
accompany them; and this was her tale, or mine; when more then one
importuned me with their visits, and by this means did we both gain the
mony, and I, Rings, Necklaces, Watches and new Gowns, and sometimes some
Gold to spend, or play away; but in time these three growing somewhat
weary, or tyred both in their bodies and purses; but especially in the
last, they by degrees left me, seldom visiting me; and when they did,
they would desire their pleasure on free cost, although I could not be
so ungrateful as to deny them, that which cost me nothing, and which I
had equal pleasure in, yet I saw, it was time to look out for other
better customers; and therefore as I told you, I passed as the Mistress
of a Person of Quallity, and was sent for to our _Madonas_ house,
whether I would pretend, I had stolen out, but durst not stay, least my
amorous Master should return and want me: Several Persons I enjoyed at
this rate, and much ready mony was coming to me; for they with whom I
had to do, understanding I was a professed Lady of Pleasure, knew well
enough that I would not be contented to pleasure them without a reward;
and therefore they gave me money.
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