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The Vicar of Wakefield.
51

morning he introduced me to two un­happy women more, whom, like me, he had deceived, but who lived in con­tented prostitution. I loved him too ten­derly to bear such rivals in his affections, and strove to forget my infamy in a tu­mult of pleasures. With this view, I danced, dressed, and talked; but still was unhappy. The gentlemen who visited there told me every moment of the power of my charms, and this only contributed to encrease my melancholy, as I had thrown all their power quite away. Thus each day I grew more pensive, and he more insolent, till at last the monster had the assurance to offer me to a young Baronet of his ac­quaintance. Need I describe, Sir, how his ingratitude stung me. My an­swer to this proposal was almost mad­ness. I desired to part. As I was go­ing he offered me a purse; but I flung it at him with indignation, and burst from"him