The young lady insinuated herself so artfully into the affection of this new lodger, that in less than a fortnight, on pretence of going to the play, they drove away together to the Fleet, where they were married; and in the morning came home, where they asked her father's and mother's blessing.

The prudent parents, notwithstanding the precipitation with which the match was carried on, did not think fit to refuse their approbation; for the apothecary was not ill pleased to find his daughter married to a young man of a good prospect, who had not mentioned one syllable on the article of her dowry; and his wife was rejoiced at being rid of a rival and a spy upon her.

Whatever face Gawky put on the matter, my discovery of the adventure before related, and the reproaches I vented against him, had stung him to the soul, and cherished the seeds of enmity so strongly in his breast, that he imparted his indignation to his wife, who being as desirous as himself to accomplish the ruin of one that not only slighted her caresses, but was able on any occasion to discover particulars not at all advantageous to her character, readily joined in a conspiracy against me, which (had it taken effect as they expected) would infallibly have brought me to an ignominious death.
My master having several times missed large quantities of medicines, of which I could give no account, at last lost all patience, and in plain terms taxed me with having embezzled them for my own use.

As I could only oppose my single asseveration to his suspicion, he told me one day, "Your vord not be give me de satisfaction--me find necessaire to chercher for my medicine; pardonnez moi--il faut chercber--me demand le clef of your coffre a cette heure." Then raising his voice to conceal the fright he was in lest I should make any opposition, he went on, "Oui! I charge you rendez le clef of your cofrre--moi--si, moi qui vous parle." I was fired with so much resentment and disdain at this accusation, that I burst into tears, which he took for a sign of guilt; and pulling out my key, told him he might satisfy himself immediately, though he would not find it so easy to satisfy me for the injury my reputation had suffered from his unjust suspicion.

He took the key and mounted up to my chamber, attended by the whole family, saying, "Eh bien, nous verrons--nous verrons." But what was my horror and amazement, when, opening my chest, he pulled out a handful of the very things that were missing, and pronounced, "Ah, ha, vous etes bienvenu--mardy, Mons.
Roderique, you be fort innocent!" I had not power to utter one word in my own vindication, but stood motionless and silent, while everybody present made their respective remarks on what appeared against me.
The servants said they were sorry for my misfortune, and went away repeating, "Who would have thought it ?" My mistress took occasion from this detection to rail against the practice of employing strangers in general; and Mrs.Gawky, after having observed that she never had a good opinion of my fidelity, proposed to have me carried before the justice and committed to Newgate immediately.