Book contents
- Frontmatter
- CONTENTS
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Select Bibliography
- Note on the Text
- The Histories of Some of the Penitents in the Magdalen-House, as Supposed to be related by Themselves (1760)
- Preface
- Chap. I
- Chap. II
- Chap. III
- Chap. IV
- Chap. V
- Chap. VI
- Chap. VII
- Chap. VIII
- Chap. IX
- Chap. X
- Chap. XI
- Chap. XII
- Chap. XIII
- Chap. XIV
- Chap. XV
- Chap. XVI
- Chap. XVII
- Chap. XVIII
- Chap. XIX
- Chap. XX
- Chap. XXI
- Chap. XXII
- The Histories of Some of the Penitents in the Magdalen-House, as Supposed to be related by Themselves (1760)
- Endnotes
Chap. XVIII
from The Histories of Some of the Penitents in the Magdalen-House, as Supposed to be related by Themselves (1760)
- Frontmatter
- CONTENTS
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Select Bibliography
- Note on the Text
- The Histories of Some of the Penitents in the Magdalen-House, as Supposed to be related by Themselves (1760)
- Preface
- Chap. I
- Chap. II
- Chap. III
- Chap. IV
- Chap. V
- Chap. VI
- Chap. VII
- Chap. VIII
- Chap. IX
- Chap. X
- Chap. XI
- Chap. XII
- Chap. XIII
- Chap. XIV
- Chap. XV
- Chap. XVI
- Chap. XVII
- Chap. XVIII
- Chap. XIX
- Chap. XX
- Chap. XXI
- Chap. XXII
- The Histories of Some of the Penitents in the Magdalen-House, as Supposed to be related by Themselves (1760)
- Endnotes
Summary
Oh! When this tyrant doubt torments our breast,
Our thoughts, like birds, who, frighted from their rest,
Around the place, where all was hush'd before,
Flutter, and hardly settle any more.
Otway.Mr. Senwill's behaviour won my whole heart, which did not pique itself upon being incapable of ever admitting a second object of its affections; and as I was grown desperate in the point of reputation, I no longer made myself a prisoner, but kept such company as I could, and went to public places in a moderate degree, tho’ with less satisfaction, as Mr. Senwill could not venture often to accompany me there.
One night that I was peculiarly happy in Mr. Senwill's being with me in the gallery at the play (for we went into that part of the house, in order to avoid being seen), I heard somebody come in with more than ordinary bustle, and sit down behind me; which tempted me to turn round, and my sister proved the person. I started with surprize; but much greater was her emotion, filled with horror, as she said, to think she was near so shameless a wretch; and gladly would she have fled, for fear of contagion; but the rows behind her had filled so fast, that she could not get away.
I saw no one with her but a youth, who was ’prentice to my father when I left him, and could not be out of his time.87 This excited my curiosity; and I expressed my surprize at seeing a person of her great prudence without any other companion.
‘Surely,’ replied she, ‘a woman cannot be in better company than with her husband: I wish you were in any so creditable.’ ‘Your husband!’ said I; ‘How can that be? I am sure my father could never consent to such a match.’
‘Well,’ answered my sister, ‘if he did not consent, I have, however, done no harm; for marriage is holy and honourable too: I wish no one of his family had done worse.’
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- Publisher: Pickering & ChattoFirst published in: 2014