This fit of frenzy continued three days, at the
end of which I grew calm and sullen: but as the desire of making away
with myself still remained, I came to a determination of starving
myself to death, and with that view refused all sustenance.
'Whether it was owing to the want of opposition, or to the weakness
of nature, I know not; but on the second day of my fast, I found
my resolution considerably impaired, and the calls of hunger almost
insupportable. At this critical conjuncture a lady was brought
into the prison, with whom I had contracted an acquaintance while
I lived with Horatio; she was then on the same footing as I was,
but afterwards quarrelling with her gallant, and not finding another
to her mind, altered her scheme of life, and set up a coffee-house
among the hundreds in Drury, where she entertained gentlemen with
claret, arrack, and the choice of half-a-dozen damsels who lived
in her house. This serviceable matron having neglected to gratify
a certain justice for the connivance she enjoyed, was indicted at the
quarter sessions, in consequence of which her bevy was dispersed,
and herself committed to Bridewell. She had not been long there before
she learned my disaster, and coming up to me, after a compliment
of condolence, inquired into the particulars of my fate.
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