In this situation I continued above three weeks, without any alteration, except an increase of ill humour in my gaoler, who became every day more weary of her employment. Even the gratification of her spite and cruelty could not recompense her for the mortification she received from the dullness of the place. She had indeed provided as well as she could for herself. The steward had repaired the corner of the house which he inhabited; and she got a room in that part; indulged herself in a very plentiful table, and in every gratification the place could allow her: But still it was too wretched a spot to be rendered tolerable by the brightest human invention.

I found, by what she said, that Mr. Merton had promised to relieve her from her post before that time, by sending some other person to take care of me: But whether he had not been able to find a fit successor (no easy task, I am sure), or whether he was glad to get rid of us both at once, I cannot tell; but certain it is, she received no intelligence of a substitute; which increased her ill-humour so much, that she was still more lavish of her abuse, and was more in the room with me for that purpose. The case was hard; for, however the law might esteem Mr. Merton and I one, no two people certainly were ever more divided in fact; therefore I had little title to the whole sum of fury, of which we were then become pretty equal objects.

Fretting, and the dampness of the place, at last proved my friends; for my gaoler was taken with a fever, which, as she was never negligent in care of herself, confined her to her room for some time. She transmitted the care of me to the steward's wife, who was a quiet woman, and often deputed her daughter to give me what she thought necessary attendance.