H . . .
to have been cheaply off, if I had not push'd my revenge
farther, and repaid him, as exactly as I could for the soul
of me, in the same coin.
Nor was this worthy act of justice long delay'd: I had
it too much at heart. Mr. H . . . had, about a fortnight
before, taken into his service a tenant's son, just come out
of the country, a very handsome young lad scarce turn'd of
nineteen, fresh as a rose, well shap'd and clever limb'd: in
short, a very good excuse for any woman's liking, even tho'
revenge had been out of the question; any woman, I say, who
was disprejudic'd, and had wit and spirit enough to prefer a
point of pleasure to a point of pride.
Mr. H . . . had clap'd a livery upon him; and his chief
employ was, after being shewn my lodgings, to bring and
carry letters or messages between his master and me; and as
the situation of all kept ladies is not the fittest to
inspire respect, even to the meanest of mankind, and, perhaps,
less of it from the most ignorant, I could not help observing
that this lad, who was, I suppose, acquainted with my relation
to his master by his fellow-servants, used to eye me in that
bashful confus'd way, more expressive, more moving and readier
catch'd at by our sex, than any other declarations whatever:
my figure had, it seems, struck him, and modest and innocent
as he was, he did not himself know that the pleasure he took
in looking at me was love, or desire; but his eyes, naturally
wanton, and now enflam'd with passion, spoke a great deal
more than he durst have imagin'd they did.
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