Moll Flanders

When Moll returns to England, she finds that she is in money trouble yet again—her cargo is lost at sea—and she is “entirely without friends” (116). She resolves to go to Bath, although she is aware that it is a place where gentlemen go to find mistresses rather than wives. She finds lodgings with a woman who is kind enough to offer her a reduced rate because of her circumstances. In the spring, a gentleman of some apparent means also comes to lodge at the home; Moll suspects her landlady of having encouraged him to come.

He courts her, though he remains honorable, and Moll is partially honest about her circumstances. He offers her money, though she refuses at first, only to accept after her landlady demands the rent. He becomes ill, and Moll nurses him back to health. When he is well, the relationship progresses, and they begin to sleep together—though only as companions, not lovers. Moll claims this remains the case for two years. Finally, Moll initiates a sexual relationship with him and becomes his mistress. She bears three children over six years, though only one of them survives.

The couple move several times during the years, but Moll returns to the original boardinghouse to find a letter from her lover: he has taken ill but dissuades Moll from coming to him because his wife’s relatives are taking care of him.