She knew
most of the ways of the town, having not only herself been
upon, but kept up constant intelligences in it, dealing, be-
sides her practice in promoting a harmony between the two
sexes, in private pawn-broking and other profitable secrets.
She rented the house she liv'd in, and made the most of it
by letting it out in lodgings; though she was worth, at
least, near three or four thousand pounds, she would not
allow herself even the necessaries of life, and pinn'd her
subsistence entirely on what she could squeeze out of her
lodgers.
When she saw such a young pair come under her roof,
her immediate notions, doubtless, were how she should make
the most money of us, by every means that money might be
made, and which, she rightly judged, our situation and
inexperience would soon beget her occasions of.
In this hopeful sanctuary, and under the clutches of
this harpy, did we pitch our residence. It will not be
mighty material to you, or very pleasant to me, to enter
into a detail of all the petty cut-throat ways and means
with which she used to fleece us; all which Charles indol-
ently chose to bear with, rather than take the trouble of
removing, the difference of expense being scarce attended
to by a young gentleman who had no idea of stint, or even
of economy, and a raw country girl who knew nothing of the
matter.
Pages:
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94