t the child
of another man. I was even with her with a vengeance. And yet thou wilt
think that could not well be.--As how?--As how, Jack!--Why, I wished for
her conscience come to life! And I know, by the gripes mine gives me
every half-hour, that she would then have a cursed time of it.

Sally and Polly gave themselves high airs too. Their first favours were
thrown at me, [women to boast of those favours which they were as willing
to impart, first forms all the difficulty with them! as I to receive!] I
was upbraided with ingratitude, dastardice and all my difficulties with
my angel charged upon myself, for want of following my blows; and for
leaving the proud lady mistress of her own will, and nothing to reproach
herself with. And all agreed, that the arts used against her on a
certain occasion, had too high an operation for them or me to judge what
her will would have been in the arduous trial. And then they blamed one
another; as I cursed them all.

They concluded, that I should certainly marry, and be a lost man. And
Sally, on this occasion, with an affected and malicious laugh, snapt her
fingers at me, and pointing two of each hand forkedly at me, bid me
remember the lines I once showed her of my favourite Jack Dryden, as she
always familiarly calls that celebrated poet:

We women to new joys unseen may move:
There are no prints left in the paths of love.
All goods besides by public marks are known:
But those men most desire to keep, have none.

This infernal implement had the confidence further to hint, that when a
wife, some other man would not find half the difficulty with my angel
that I had found. Confidence indeed! But yet, I must say, if a man
gives himself up to the company of these devils, they never let him rest
till he either suspects or hate his wife.

But a word or two of other matters, if possible.

Methinks I long to know how causes go at M. Hall. I have another private
intimation, that the old peer is in the greatest danger.

I must go down. Yet what to do with this lady the mean while! These
cursed women are full of cruelty and enterprise. She will never be easy
with them in my absence. They will have provocation and pretence
therefore. But woe be to them, if----

Yet what will vengeance do, after an insult committed? The two nymphs
will have jealous rage to goad them on. And what will withhold a jealous
and already-ruined woman?

To let her go el