The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders

It came in my thoughts one morning that I would go to the bank myself,

where I had often been to receive the interest of some bills I had,

which had interest payable on them, and where I had found a clerk, to

whom I applied myself, very honest and just to me, and particularly so

fair one time that when I had mistold my money, and taken less than my

due, and was coming away, he set me to rights and gave me the rest,

which he might have put into his own pocket.

I went to him and represented my case very plainly, and asked if he

would trouble himself to be my adviser, who was a poor friendless

widow, and knew not what to do. He told me, if I desired his opinion

of anything within the reach of his business, he would do his endeavour

that I should not be wronged, but that he would also help me to a good

sober person who was a grave man of his acquaintance, who was a clerk

in such business too, though not in their house, whose judgment was

good, and whose honesty I might depend upon. 'For,' added he, 'I will

answer for him, and for every step he takes; if he wrongs you, madam,

of one farthing, it shall lie at my door, I will make it good; and he

delights to assist people in such cases--he does it as an act of

charity.' I was a little at a stand in this discourse; but after some pause I

told him I had rather have depended upon him, because I had found him

honest, but if that could not be, I would take his recommendation

sooner than any one's else. 'I dare say, madam,' says he, 'that you

will be as well satisfied with my friend as with me, and he is

thoroughly able to assist you, which I am not.' It seems he had his

hands full of the business of the bank, and had engaged to meddle with

no other business that that of his office, which I heard afterwards,

but did not understand then. He added, that his friend should take

nothing of me for his advice or assistance, and this indeed encouraged

me very much.

He appointed the same evening, after the bank was shut and business

over, for me to meet him and his friend. And indeed as soon as I saw

his friend, and he began but to talk of the affair, I was fully

satisfied that I had a very honest man to deal with; his countenance

spoke it, and his character, as I heard afterwards, was everywhere so

good, that I had no room for any more doubts upon me.