The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders

I was surprised at this talk, and began to consider very seriously what

the meaning of it must be; and it presently occurred to me that my

friend, who called him brother, had represented me in colours which

were not my due; and I thought, since it was come to that pitch, that I

would know the bottom of it before I went out of England, and before I

should put myself into I knew not whose hands in a strange country.

Upon this I called his sister into my chamber the next morning, and

letting her know the discourse her brother and I had been upon the

evening before, I conjured her to tell me what she had said to him, and

upon what foot it was that she had made this marriage. She owned that

she had told him that I was a great fortune, and said that she was told

so at London. 'Told so!' says I warmly; 'did I ever tell you so?' No,

she said, it was true I did not tell her so, but I had said several

times that what I had was in my own disposal. 'I did so,' returned I

very quickly and hastily, 'but I never told you I had anything called a

fortune; no, not that I had #100, or the value of #100, in the world.

Any how did it consist with my being a fortune,' said I, 'that I should

come here into the north of England with you, only upon the account of

living cheap?' At these words, which I spoke warm and high, my husband,

her brother (as she called him), came into the room, and I desired him

to come and sit down, for I had something of moment to say before them

both, which it was absolutely necessary he should hear.

He looked a little disturbed at the assurance with which I seemed to

speak it, and came and sat down by me, having first shut the door; upon

which I began, for I was very much provoked, and turning myself to him,

'I am afraid,' says I, 'my dear' (for I spoke with kindness on his

side), 'that you have a very great abuse put upon you, and an injury

done you never to be repaired in your marrying me, which, however, as I

have had no hand in it, I desire I may be fairly acquitted of it, and

that the blame may lie where it ought to lie, and nowhere else, for I

wash my hands of every part of it.' 'What injury can be done me, my dear,' says he, 'in marrying you. I

hope it is to my honour and advantage every way.' 'I will soon explain

it to you,' says I, 'and I fear you will have no reason to think

yourself well used; but I will convince you, my dear,' says I again,

'that I have had no hand in it'; and there I stopped a while.