I went frequently to see them, and condole with them, expecting that it would be my turn next; but the place gave me so much horror, reflecting that it was the place of my unhappy birth, and of my mother’s misfortunes, and that I could not bear it, so I was forced to leave off going to see them.

And oh! could I have but taken warning by their disasters, I had been happy still, for I was yet free, and had nothing brought against me; but it could not be, my measure was not yet filled up.

My comrade, having the brand of an old offender, was executed; the young offender was spared, having obtained a reprieve, but lay starving a long while in prison, till at last she got her name into what they call a circuit pardon, and so came off.

This terrible example of my comrade frighted me heartily, and for a good while I made no excursions; but one night, in the neighbourhood of my governess’s house, they cried ‘Fire.’  My governess looked out, for we were all up, and cried immediately that such a gentlewoman’s house was all of a light fire atop, and so indeed it was.  Here she gives me a job.  ’Now, child,’ says she, ’there is a rare opportunity, for the fire being so near that you may go to it before the street is blocked up with the crowd.’  She presently gave me my cue.  ‘Go, child,’ says she, ’to the house, and run in and tell the lady, or anybody you see, that you come to help them, and that you came from such a gentlewoman (that is, one of her acquaintance farther up the street).’  She gave me the like cue to the next house, naming another name that was also an acquaintance of the gentlewoman of the house.

Away I went, and, coming to the house, I found them all in confusion, you may be sure.  I ran in, and finding one of the maids, ‘Lord! sweetheart,’ says I, ’how came this dismal accident?  Where is your mistress?  Any how does she do?  Is she safe?  And where are the children?  I come from Madam ——­ to help you.’  Away runs the maid.  ’Madam, madam,’ says she, screaming as loud as she could yell, ’here is a gentlewoman come from Madam ——­ to help us.’  The poor woman, half out of her wits, with a bundle under her arm, an two little children, comes toward me.  ‘Lord! madam,’ says I, ‘let me carry the poor children to Madam ——­,’ she desires you to send them; she’ll take care of the poor lambs;’ and immediately I takes one of them out of her hand, and she lifts the other up into my arms.  ‘Ay, do, for God’s sake,’ says she, ‘carry them to her.  Oh! thank her for her kindness.’  ’Have you anything else to secure, madam?’ says I; ’she will take care of it.’  ‘Oh dear! ay,’ says she, ’God bless her, and thank her.  Take this bundle of plate and carry it to her too.  Oh, she is a good woman.  Oh Lord! we are utterly ruined, utterly undone!’ And away she runs from me out of her wits, and the maids after her; and away comes I with the two children and the bundle.