Mother (since you will have it so) I shall make a free confession of my Crime; hoping you will be merciful in the pennance you shall impose; seeing, as you say, I am not the alone guilty party; and thereupon I recounted to her, how that I being born in such a Country, and desirous to see fashions, went up to _London_, and there happened into a Service; where my Masters Brother falling in love with me, after some Courtship (he promising me marriage) we came to enjoyment; that he, notwithstanding his promise married with another; who indeed exceeded me in Fortune, as I her in beauty; but my sweet heart soon after marriage came to me, and repented of his bargain; but since that was past could not be remedied, I was forced to be contented; and indeed, I having a great love for him, permitted him still to lye with me, that in the end, I was with Child by him; and then we consulting what was most necessary to be done, it was at length concluded, that I should leave my service, and retire into the Country, till I were rid of my great Belly; and to that end and purpose, I was now come into the Country, expecting him in short time to follow me. Thus did I give her a short, though somewhat true, account of my Fortunes; and when I had done, she thus replyed. Well, Daughter, since your condition is as I judged it, and indeed hop’d it to be; I shall play the Chymist, and extract Golden Fortunes to you out of your own desperate misfortunes; for I doubt, as your Lover hath once been false to you, so he may prove the second time; and now he hath sent you a journey, he may leave you to shift for your self; and to look for another Father for your Child. But, Daughter, (continued she) if you will be rul’d by me, you shall not only have a rich Father, but a great fortune for your Child: and perhaps, so much ready money for your self, as you will not only give me thanks, but reckon this our meeting to be the most fortunate Accident of your whole Life. I thank you very kindly, replyed I, for your fair offers, but I shall desire you to explain your self further; and I suppose I shall put so much confidence in you, as to be rul’d by you; although I do not in the least doubt that I shall be put to those extremities you imagine. So much the better, replyed she; but however, that I may fit you for those purposes I have designed, and partly propounded to you; I shall give you an account of some part of my Life and Adventures; and thereupon she thus Began. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAP. II.