Page:Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure (1749, vol. 2).pdf/219

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Woman of Pleasure.
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tortions, nor ever put their hand earnings, as she call'd them, under the contribution of poundage; she was a severe enemy to the seduction of innocence, and confin'd her acquisitions solely to those unfortunate young women, who, having lost it, were but the juster objects of compassion: amongst these indeed, she pick'd out such as suited her views, and taking them under her protection, rescu'd them from the danger of the public sinks of ruin and misery, to place or form them, well, or ill, in the manner you have seen. Having then settled her affairs, she set out on her journey, after taking the most tender leave of me, and, at the end of some excellent instructions, recommending me to myself, with an anxiety, perfectly maternal: in short, she affected me so much that I was not presently reconcil'd to myself for suffering her, at any rate, to go without me; but fate had it seems, otherwise dispos'd of me.

I had, on my separation from Mrs. Cole, taken a pleasant convenient house

near