Page:Moll Flanders (1906 edition).djvu/143

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THE FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES OF MOLL FLANDERS

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misfortune to have some of their former sins brought to remembrance. Two other indictments being brought against them, and the facts being proved upon them, they were both condemned to die. They both pleaded their bellies, and were both voted quick with child; though my tutoress was no more with child than I was.

I went frequently to see them, and condole with them, expecting that it would be my turn next; but the place gave me so much horror, reflecting that it was the place of my unhappy birth, and of my mother's misfortunes, that I could not bear it, so I left off going to see them.

And, oh! could I but have taken warning by their disasters, I had been happy still, for I was yet free, and had nothing brought against me; but it could not be, my measure was not yet filled up.

My comrade, having the brand of an old offender, was executed; the young offender was spared, having obtained a reprieve, but lay starving a long while in prison, till at last she got her name into what they call a circuit pardon, and so came off.

This terrible example of my comrade frighted me heartily, and for a good while I made no excursions; but one night, in the neighbourhood of my governess's house, they cried 'Fire'! My governess looked out, for we were all up, and cried immediately that such a gentlewoman's house was all of a light fire atop, and so indeed it was. Here she gives me a jog. 'Now, child', says she, 'there is a rare opportunity, the fire being so near that you may go to it before the street is blocked up with the crowd.' She presently gave me my cue. 'Go, child', says she, 'to the house, and run in and tell the lady, or anybody you see, that you come to help them, and that you came from such a gentlewoman; that is, one of her acquaintance farther up the street.'

Away I went, and, coming to the house, I found them all in confusion, you may be sure. I ran in, and finding one of the maids, 'Alas! sweetheart', said I, 'how came this dismal accident? Where is your mistress? Is she safe? And where are the children? I come from Madam —— to help you.' Away runs the maid, 'Madam, madam', says she, screaming as loud as she could yell, 'here is a gentlewoman come from Madam —— to help us,' The poor woman, half out of her wits, with a bundle under her arm, and two little children, comes towards me, 'Madam', says I, 'let me carry the poor children to Madam ——; she desires you to send them; she'll take care of the poor lambs', and so I takes one of them out of her hand, and she lifts the other up into my arms. 'Ay, do, for God's sake' says she, 'carry them. Oh I thank her for her kindness.' 'Have you anything else to secure, madam?' says I; 'she will take care of it.' 'Oh dear!', says she, 'God bless her; take this bundle of plate and carry it to her too. Oh, she is a good woman! Oh, we are utterly ruined, undone! 'And away she runs from me out of her wits, and the maids after her, and away comes I with the two children and the bundle.

I was no sooner got into the street but I saw another woman come to me. 'Oh!', says she, 'mistress', in a piteous tone, 'you will let fall the child. Come, come, this is a sad time; let me help you'; and immediately lays hold of my bundle to carry it for me. 'No', says I; 'if you will help me, take the child by the hand, and lead it for me but to the upper end of the street; I'll go with you and satisfy you for your pains.'

She could not avoid going, after what I said; but the creature, in short, was one of the same business with me, and wanted nothing but the bundle;