Part 24 (1/2)

MRS. GURREY--Mr. Stephens, and Mr. Rogers, and there was one Mr. Gilbert, that married a first cousin of mine; he came and asked me for my husband; and I asked him his business, and he said he wanted to speak to him.

JONES--Pray come to these men; when did they come to your house?

MRS. GURREY--They hired the lodging at five of the clock. When they first came to see them I was not at home; Mr. Gilbert brought them, and as I was coming along the street I saw Mr.

Gilbert walking off, and would not look at me.

JONES--When did they go out?

MRS. GURREY--They never staid there.

JONES--When did they come in again?

MRS. GURREY--Between eleven and twelve.

HATSELL, BARON--What did they do when they came again?

MRS. GURREY--I was laying on some sheets two pairs of stairs when they came, and then there was three of them; so they saw me a little after, and begged my excuse for bringing in another, for they said it was so late that they could not get a lodging any where else: and said, if I thought fit, the gentleman should lie with them: And I told them I liked it very well.

JONES--What firing had they?

MRS. GURREY--The firing I laid on in the morning, and they sent for my husband to fetch them some wine.

JONES--What did you hear them talk on?

MRS. GURREY--They discoursed with my husband, and asked him if he knew Mrs. Sarah Stout; and one of them said to Mr. Marson, I think she was an old sweetheart of yours; Ay, said he, but she turned me off, but a friend of mine is even with her: And Mr.

Rogers said he was in with her; and afterwards said, her business was done. They had a bundle, that was wrapt up in pure white cloth, like to an ap.r.o.n, but I cannot say it was an ap.r.o.n; and there was a parcel hanging loose by it; and when he laid it down he said, he would pa.s.s his word Mrs. Sarah Stout's courting days were over; and I said, I hoped it was no hurt to the gentlewoman; and then I looking upon Mr. Marson, saw him put his peruke aside, and his head reeked, and he told them he was but just come from London that night, which made him disappointed of a lodging.

JONES--What did you hear them say about any money?

MRS. GURREY--I asked them how they would have their bed warmed?

And Mr. Marson answered, very hot: With that I went down to send my daughter up, and she could not go presently; I told her then she must go as soon as she could.

HATSELL, BARON--Pray, do not tell us what pa.s.sed between you and your daughter: What do you know of these gentlemen?

MRS. GURREY--I went to the next room, to see if every thing was as it should be; I hearkened, and they had some discourse about money, and I heard somebody (I do not know who it should be except it were Mr. Stephens) answer and say, the use money was paid to-night; but what money they meant I cannot tell.

JONES--What did you find when they were gone?

MRS. GURREY--Sir, I found a cord at the end of the trunk.

JONES--Was it there in the morning, or before they came?

MRS. GURREY--No, it could not have been, for I swept my room, and wiped down the dust.

JONES--Was the cord white?

MRS. GURREY--No, it was more dirty than it is now, for my husband and I have worn it in our pockets.

COWPER--Pray, who brought the cord down from above stairs?