The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders

I began now to be very wary, having so narrowly escaped a scouring, and

having such an example before me; but I had a new tempter, who prompted

me every day--I mean my governess; and now a prize presented, which as

it came by her management, so she expected a good share of the booty.

There was a good quantity of Flanders lace lodged in a private house,

where she had gotten intelligence of it, and Flanders lace being

prohibited, it was a good booty to any custom-house officer that could

come at it. I had a full account from my governess, as well of the

quantity as of the very place where it was concealed, and I went to a

custom-house officer, and told him I had such a discovery to make to

him of such a quantity of lace, if he would assure me that I should

have my due share of the reward. This was so just an offer, that

nothing could be fairer; so he agreed, and taking a constable and me

with him, we beset the house. As I told him I could go directly to the

place, he left it to me; and the hole being very dark, I squeezed

myself into it, with a candle in my hand, and so reached the pieces out

to him, taking care as I gave him some so to secure as much about

myself as I could conveniently dispose of. There was near #300 worth

of lace in the hole, and I secured about #50 worth of it to myself.

The people of the house were not owners of the lace, but a merchant who

had entrusted them with it; so that they were not so surprised as I

thought they would be.

I left the officer overjoyed with his prize, and fully satisfied with

what he had got, and appointed to meet him at a house of his own

directing, where I came after I had disposed of the cargo I had about

me, of which he had not the least suspicion. When I came to him he

began to capitulate with me, believing I did not understand the right I

had to a share in the prize, and would fain have put me off with #20,

but I let him know that I was not so ignorant as he supposed I was; and

yet I was glad, too, that he offered to bring me to a certainty.

I asked #100, and he rose up to #30; I fell to #80, and he rose again

to #40; in a word, he offered #50, and I consented, only demanding a

piece of lace, which I though came to about #8 or #9, as if it had been

for my own wear, and he agreed to it. So I got #50 in money paid me

that same night, and made an end of the bargain; nor did he ever know

who I was, or where to inquire for me, so that if it had been

discovered that part of the goods were embezzled, he could have made no

challenge upon me for it.