The Works of Daniel Defoe (Volume 12, PT. 1); The Fortunate Mistress Or, a History of the Life of Mademoiselle de Beleau, Known by the Name of the Lady Roxana (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1903. Excerpt: ... "What d'ye mean by that, hussy ?" said I. "No, I'd starve first." "I hope not, madam, I hope you would be wiser; I'm sure if he will set you up, as he talks of, you ought to deny him nothing; and you will starve if you do not consent, that's certain." "What consent to lie with him for bread? Amy," said I, "how can you talk so " "Nay, madam," says Amy, "I don't think you would for anything else; it would hot be lawful for anything else, but for bread, madam; why, nobody can starve, there's no bearing that, I'm sure." "Ay," says I, " but if he would give me an estate to live on, he should not lie with me, I assure you." "Why, look you, madam; if he would but give you enough to live easy upon, he should lie with me for it with all my heart." "That's a token, Amy, of inimitable kindness to me," said I, "and I know how to value it; but there's more friendship than honesty in it, Amy." "Oh, madam," says Amy, "I'd do anything to get you out of this sad condition; as to honesty, I think honesty is out of the question when starving is the case. Are not we almost starved to death?" "I am indeed," said I," and thou art for my sake; but to be a whore, Amy " and there I stopped. "Dear madam," says Amy, " if I will starve for your sake, I will be a whore or anything for your sake; why, I would die for you if I were put to it" "Why, that's an excess of affection, Amy," said I, "I never met with before; I wish I may be ever in condition to make you some returns suitable. But, however, Amy, you shall not be a whore to him, to oblige him to be kind to me; no, Amy, nor I won't be a whore to him, if he would give me much more than he is able to give me or do for me." "Why, madam," says Amy, "I don't say I will go and ask him; but I say, if he should promise to do so and so for you, and the condition ...