She allowed my observation to be
just in the main, but at the same time affirmed that notwithstanding
the disgraces which had fallen to her share, she had not been so
unlucky in the condition of a prostitute as many others of the same
community. "I have often seen," said she, "while I strolled about
the streets at midnight, a number of naked wretches reduced to rags
and filth, huddled together like swine, in the corner of a dark
alley, some of whom, but eighteen months before, I had known the
favourites of the town, rolling in affluence, and glittering in
all the pomp of equipage and dress. Miserable wretch that I am!
perhaps the same horrors are decreed for me!" "No!" cried she, after
some pause, "I shall never live to such extremity of distress; my
own hand shall open a way for my deliverance, before I arrive at
that forlorn period!" Her condition filled me with sympathy and
compassion: I revered her qualifications, looked upon her as unfortunate,
not criminal, and attended her with such care and success, that in
less than two months her health, as well as my own, was perfectly
re-established. As we often conferred upon our mutual affairs,
and interchanged advice, a thousand different projects were formed,
which, upon further canvassing, appeared impracticable.
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