The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders - Page 84/256

He was in a might good humour when he heard me say I had paid her, and

it went off into some other discourse at that time. But the next

morning, he having heard me up about my room before him, he called to

me, and I answering, he asked me to come into his chamber. He was in

bed when I came in, and he made me come and sit down on his bedside,

for he said he had something to say to me which was of some moment.

After some very kind expressions, he asked me if I would be very honest

to him, and give a sincere answer to one thing he would desire of me.

After some little cavil at the word 'sincere,' and asking him if I had

ever given him any answers which were not sincere, I promised him I

would. Why, then, his request was, he said, to let him see my purse.

I immediately put my hand into my pocket, and, laughing to him, pulled

it out, and there was in it three guineas and a half. Then he asked me

if there was all the money I had. I told him No, laughing again, not

by a great deal.

Well, then, he said, he would have me promise to go and fetch him all

the money I had, every farthing. I told him I would, and I went into

my chamber and fetched him a little private drawer, where I had about

six guineas more, and some silver, and threw it all down upon the bed,

and told him there was all my wealth, honestly to a shilling. He

looked a little at it, but did not tell it, and huddled it all into the

drawer again, and then reaching his pocket, pulled out a key, and bade

me open a little walnut-tree box he had upon the table, and bring him

such a drawer, which I did. In which drawer there was a great deal of

money in gold, I believe near two hundred guineas, but I knew not how

much. He took the drawer, and taking my hand, made me put it in and

take a whole handful. I was backward at that, but he held my hand hard

in his hand, and put it into the drawer, and made me take out as many

guineas almost as I could well take up at once.

When I had done so, he made me put them into my lap, and took my little

drawer, and poured out all my money among his, and bade me get me gone,

and carry it all home into my own chamber.