The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders

'I have put some of the stock of money I have left into your pocket;

take places for yourself and your maid in the stage-coach, and go for

London; I hope it will bear your charges thither, without breaking into

your own. Again I sincerely ask your pardon, and will do so as often

as I shall ever think of you. Adieu, my dear, for ever!--I am, your

most affectionately, J.E.' Nothing that ever befell me in my life sank so deep into my heart as

this farewell. I reproached him a thousand times in my thoughts for

leaving me, for I would have gone with him through the world, if I had

begged my bread. I felt in my pocket, and there found ten guineas, his

gold watch, and two little rings, one a small diamond ring worth only

about #6, and the other a plain gold ring.

I sat me down and looked upon these things two hours together, and

scarce spoke a word, till my maid interrupted me by telling me my

dinner was ready. I ate but little, and after dinner I fell into a

vehement fit of crying, every now and then calling him by his name,

which was James. 'O Jemmy!' said I, 'come back, come back. I'll give

you all I have; I'll beg, I'll starve with you.' And thus I ran raving

about the room several times, and then sat down between whiles, and

then walking about again, called upon him to come back, and then cried

again; and thus I passed the afternoon, till about seven o'clock, when

it was near dusk, in the evening, being August, when, to my unspeakable

surprise, he comes back into the inn, but without a servant, and comes

directly up into my chamber.

I was in the greatest confusion imaginable, and so was he too. I could

not imagine what should be the occasion of it, and began to be at odds

with myself whether to be glad or sorry; but my affection biassed all

the rest, and it was impossible to conceal my joy, which was too great

for smiles, for it burst out into tears. He was no sooner entered the

room but he ran to me and took me in his arms, holding me fast, and

almost stopping my breath with his kisses, but spoke not a word. At

length I began. 'My dear,' said I, 'how could you go away from me?' to

which he gave no answer, for it was impossible for him to speak.

When our ecstasies were a little over, he told me he was gone about

fifteen miles, but it was not in his power to go any farther without

coming back to see me again, and to take his leave of me once more.