The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders

This was heavy news for me, and I began now to see an end of my

prosperity, and to see also that it was very well I had played to good

housewife, and secured or saved something while he was alive, for that

now I had no view of my own living before me.

It lay very heavy upon my mind, too, that I had a son, a fine lovely

boy, about five years old, and no provision made for it, at least that

I knew of. With these considerations, and a sad heart, I went home

that evening, and began to cast with myself how I should live, and in

what manner to bestow myself, for the residue of my life.

You may be sure I could not rest without inquiring again very quickly

what was become of him; and not venturing to go myself, I sent several

sham messengers, till after a fortnight's waiting longer, I found that

there was hopes of his life, though he was still very ill; then I

abated my sending any more to the house, and in some time after I

learned in the neighbourhood that he was about house, and then that he

was abroad again.

I made no doubt then but that I should soon hear of him, and began to

comfort myself with my circumstances being, as I thought, recovered. I

waited a week, and two weeks, and with much surprise and amazement I

waited near two months and heard nothing, but that, being recovered, he

was gone into the country for the air, and for the better recovery

after his distemper. After this it was yet two months more, and then I

understood he was come to his city house again, but still I heard

nothing from him.

I had written several letters for him, and directed them as usual, and

found two or three of them had been called for, but not the rest. I

wrote again in a more pressing manner than ever, and in one of them let

him know, that I must be forced to wait on him myself, representing my

circumstances, the rent of lodgings to pay, and the provision for the

child wanting, and my own deplorable condition, destitute of

subsistence for his most solemn engagement to take care of and provide

for me. I took a copy of this letter, and finding it lay at the house

near a month and was not called for, I found means to have the copy of

it put into his own hands at a coffee-house, where I had by inquiry

found he used to go.