Such was the notoriety of the intimacy, that the three
married daughters of the banker, all persons of title and the highest
respectability, thought it right to question their father, relative to
the truth of the reports in circulation. Whatever might have been their
apprehensions, their fears were quieted by the information, that the
lady in question was a natural daughter, born previous to the alliance
to which they owed their birth: this assurance not only induced the
parties to admit her to their presence, but she was also introduced
to, and became intimate with, the wife of the man to whom she owes her
present good fortune. It was now, that, feeling herself secure, she
displayed that capricious feeling which has since marked her character:
poor W----r, her mentor and defender, was on some mere pretence
abandoned, and a sturdy blustering fellow, in the same profession,
substituted for the sincere adviser, the witty and agreeable companion:
it was to R----d she sent a present of one thousand pounds, for a single
ticket, on his benefit night. But her ambition had not yet attained its
highest point: the banker's wife died, and our fortunate heroine was
elected to her place while yet the clay-cold corse of her predecessor
remained above ground; a circumstance, which brought down a heavy
calamity on the clerical who performed the marriage rites,{2} but
which was remedied by an annuity from the banker.
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