I was now at a loss for a market for my goods, and especially for my
two pieces of silk. I was very loth to dispose of them for a trifle,
as the poor unhappy thieves in general do, who, after they have
ventured their lives for perhaps a thing of value, are fain to sell it
for a song when they have done; but I was resolved I would not do thus,
whatever shift I made, unless I was driven to the last extremity.
However, I did not well know what course to take. At last I resolved
to go to my old governess, and acquaint myself with her again. I had
punctually supplied the #5 a year to her for my little boy as long as I
was able, but at last was obliged to put a stop to it. However, I had
written a letter to her, wherein I had told her that my circumstances
were reduced very low; that I had lost my husband, and that I was not
able to do it any longer, and so begged that the poor child might not
suffer too much for its mother's misfortunes.
I now made her a visit, and I found that she drove something of the old
trade still, but that she was not in such flourishing circumstances as
before; for she had been sued by a certain gentleman who had had his
daughter stolen from him, and who, it seems, she had helped to convey
away; and it was very narrowly that she escaped the gallows. The
expense also had ravaged her, and she was become very poor; her house
was but meanly furnished, and she was not in such repute for her
practice as before; however, she stood upon her legs, as they say, and
a she was a stirring, bustling woman, and had some stock left, she was
turned pawnbroker, and lived pretty well.
She received me very civilly, and with her usual obliging manner told
me she would not have the less respect for me for my being reduced;
that she had taken care my boy was very well looked after, though I
could not pay for him, and that the woman that had him was easy, so
that I needed not to trouble myself about him till I might be better
able to do it effectually.
I told her that I had not much money left, but that I had some things
that were money's worth, if she could tell me how I might turn them
into money. She asked me what it was I had. I pulled out the string
of gold beads, and told her it was one of my husband's presents to me;
then I showed her the two parcels of silk, which I told her I had from
Ireland, and brought up to town with me; and the little diamond ring.
As to the small parcel of plate and spoons, I had found means to
dispose of them myself before; and as for the childbed-linen I had, she
offered me to take it herself, believing it to have been my own. She
told me that she was turned pawnbroker, and that she would sell those
things for me as pawn to her; and so she sent presently for proper
agents that bought them, being in her hands, without any scruple, and
gave good prices too.