The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders

When I came he made several proposals for my placing my money in the

bank, in order to my having interest for it; but still some difficulty

or other came in the way, which he objected as not safe; and I found

such a sincere disinterested honesty in him, that I began to muse with

myself, that I had certainly found the honest man I wanted, and that I

could never put myself into better hands; so I told him with a great

deal of frankness that I had never met with a man or woman yet that I

could trust, or in whom I could think myself safe, but that I saw he

was so disinterestedly concerned for my safety, that I said I would

freely trust him with the management of that little I had, if he would

accept to be steward for a poor widow that could give him no salary.

He smiled and, standing up, with great respect saluted me. He told me

he could not but take it very kindly that I had so good an opinion of

him; that he would not deceive me, that he would do anything in his

power to serve me, and expect no salary; but that he could not by any

means accept of a trust, that it might bring him to be suspected of

self-interest, and that if I should die he might have disputes with my

executors, which he should be very loth to encumber himself with.

I told him if those were all his objections I would soon remove them,

and convince him that there was not the least room for any difficulty;

for that, first, as for suspecting him, if ever I should do it, now is

the time to suspect him, and not put the trust into his hands, and

whenever I did suspect him, he could but throw it up then and refuse to

go any further. Then, as to executors, I assured him I had no heirs,

nor any relations in England, and I should alter my condition before I

died, and then his trust and trouble should cease together, which,

however, I had no prospect of yet; but I told him if I died as I was,

it should be all his own, and he would deserve it by being so faithful

to me as I was satisfied he would be.

He changed his countenance at this discourse, and asked me how I came

to have so much good-will for him; and, looking very much pleased, said

he might very lawfully wish he was a single man for my sake. I smiled,

and told him as he was not, my offer could have no design upon him in

it, and to wish, as he did, was not to be allowed, 'twas criminal to

his wife.