Chapter III: Part 3

S_ome months ago I had occasion to lay out some money in some Stuff, and my good fortune guiding me to your Shop, I there not only saw, but pitied you, for that I saw you were wedded to one more fit to be your Father than Husband; that pity begot love, and that so violent, that I knew not how to suppress it, I thought it might be possible to be favourably receiv’d by you, but knew not how to make my Addresses to you, lest your honour should be brought in question, I therefore waited all opportunities, and at length found one, the most lucky that could befal; for my friend_ Mounsieur N. _being absent and a Letter of yours coming into my hands, I had a great curiosity to see it, doubting that it was, what indeed I found it to be, a Letter of Love; but when I found that it was from you, and that thereby was a particular appointment for him to come to you; I was mightily pleas’d, and you may judge the great satisfaction I receiv’d. My love towards you being so violent, I was resolv’d to hazard my friendship to him, and rather than fail, be a Traitor; and indeed, what would I not have done, to have had the happiness of enjoying you? Therefore Madam, knowing his absence would be absolutely necessary, it was I that fram’d that Letter which caused his Journey, and thereby I had the happiness in his stead to be well used by you and now Madam, you may unfold the Riddle, but I hope you are so discreet as to conceal the truth of this Adventure, which were it discovered, would be of dangerous consequence, not only to us both, but also to your own Reputation; I judge you will conceal it, and hope you will give me other opportunities of waiting on you, when I shall acquaint you particularly how I came by that Letter and this; Thus hoping that I may enjoy the second place if not the first in your esteem, I rest_

Your most ardently affectionate Friend, _M. G._

This Letter being written, I enclosed it in the other, and gave it my Boy, who ran immediately to the house, where he left his drunken Companion, and opening the door, he made so much noise as awaked him, wherefore my Boy seeing him ready to rise, ran to him, and insensibly convey’d the Letter into his pocket.

The Boy being now pretty sober, remembred the Errant he was sent about, and doubting he should be chid would needs depart about it; my Boy permitted him so to do, and so came home to me.

And thus Mistress _Dorothy_ (said he to me) did I discover the whole intreague of this business to my Mistress, and she soon after sent a Letter to me, and another to my Friend, wherein she manag’d the Concern so tenderly and so handsomely, that she satisfied him and me both, and I having a Summons from her, waited on her three miles out of the Town, where I acquainted her with all that she was ignorant of, and I pressed her so with my affection, that she accepted me, and I think in time I had the first place in her affection: and thus said he, did I live the pleasantest life in the world, all the time that I staid in _Paris_; and now I hope, said he, I have satisfied you with my amours, which hitherto had been very fortunate, and I thank my Stars, _Venus_ hath been ever my Friend, or else I had not had the happiness of your acquaintance, and thus did he fully finish his discourse.

And now, said Mistress _Dorothy_, I have related all that I think is convenient and necessary about my Gentleman Soldier, and therefore I shall conclude that Story; No, said I, I have some questions to ask you, which I desire to be satisfied in, and which I believe will engage you in a little further discourse: That which I am first to desire of you is, that since you have entertained us so largely, and indeed pleasantly, with the adventures of the Gentleman Soldier, that you would tell us what became of him, and what more you know of him? for, continued I, I am perswaded that all you can say of him is so considerable, that it is worth our hearing, and your recital. Truly, replyed Mistress _Dorothy_, I have indeed somewhat more to say of him, which may be as pleasant as the rest, but his Stories being only things by the by, and which do not at all concern you, and me very little, I thought what hath been said already is enough, but if you will needs hear me proceed further, I will not refuse you the satisfaction you desire.

I have already, told you of his two _French_ Adventures, neither did he tell me of any thing more that befel him in _France_ which was considerable; but he having quitted that Countrey, and being come to _England_, it was not long e’re I came acquainted with him, and our acquaintance proceeding to a familiarity, he not only related to me all those adventures I have already recited, but he also told me the condition and state of his affairs at present: He told me that he left _England_ upon a discontent, for he having been in love with a young Gentlewoman, one of his own age and Quality, and that so long and effectually, that he had won her to consent to marriage, provided her Parents did so: but when they came acquainted with his pretentions, they absolutely refus’d it, for no other reason, but that his estate did not equal hers, for she was the only Child of her Parents, who were very rich, and he although he was equal to her in birth, yet in Estate he came far short, as being a younger Brother, and having but a small allowance or patrimony, nor indeed was there much probability of any increase or addition to his Estate: This was the Consideration why he was refused, and therefore having again tryed his Ladies mind, who although she loved him well, yet was resolved in her marriage to be wholly guided by her Friends, and finding himself frustrated in his hopes, and expectations, he therefore became melancholly and discontent, so that to throw off that indisposition which this had caused, he resolved for Travel, and thereupon to _France_ he went, where as I have told you, _Venus_ made him some amends for the dissatisfaction he had had in _England_, but in time he being weary of that place, and returning home, he found his Mistress married to another, who had been more fit for a winding-sheet than so young and fair a Bride, for although he who had married her was not very old, yet he was in a deep Consumption, and thereby wholly incapacitated to please a Lady. That which made her Friends impose this Choice upon her, was his great wealth: In this condition he found her at his return, and considering the Condition she was in, he had some hopes one day of enjoying her, either as a Wife or Mistress; to this end he made some Addresses to her, but they being taken notice of by her Parents, but more especially by her Husband, she was forced to command him to forbear any more visits; with much unwillingness he did obey her, but it was but for a while, for he getting acquainted with her Chamber-maid, who was flexible enough, or easie to be made so by Gifts or Presents he bestowed on her at present, and large promises of what he would do for the future, so that in short time he won her to be at his dispose, and to betray her Masters secrets. Whereupon, when her Master was absent, she presently gave him notice of it, and perswaded her Mistress to walk abroad to such places where he was sure to meet her. She like a Woman of much vertue and constancy, for a large time held out, and would not so much as entertain any conversation with him, but in the end by his humble and amorous Letters and fervent Protestations of a vertuous love, promising her that he designed nothing against her virtue, and since he could not enjoy her Love, that he might have the first place in her esteem; she at length consented to treat with him, and now he being admitted to treat, by degrees insinuated his old love and great misfortune, he let her know his great constancy, which as it had, so it should continue with him till death, these discourses and other arguments which he us’d, were as the Bellows to blow up a flame out of the very ashes where it had long lain, so that as she could not deny but that she had formerly loved him, and that most tenderly, so she could have done so still, had she not been married, but being married, she told him she must banish all thoughts of former love: but as he had now brought her to confess a former love, so he left not off there, but by degrees perswaded her to a new friendship, not a new one, but a renewing of the old; and as friendship had been the first step to their former love, so it was now, and she in a short time confessed that as she had, so she still did love him: in fine he brought her to this pass, that she confessed she lov’d him as well as ever, and were she free to choose a Husband, she would chuse him before all the World; he having gain’d thus much upon her, by degrees proceeded further, and he promising to remain always unmarry’d, in expectation of that time, that she might be free to marry; she promised him that if ever that time came, that she would certainly marry him before all the persons in the world. At this point they continued for some moneths, and her Husbands Consumptive-distemper encreasing, there was great hopes that in short time it would send him to the other world, where he was wished to be with all earnestness. As their converse continued, so their love encreased, and he became impatient of delays, and was so bold as to desire of her the only thing she had refus’d him, but very angry she was when he first made the proposition; wherefore he was forced to forbear any further discourse of that nature, but her Husbands lingring Distemper continuing, our Lover was out of all patience, and therefore he was once again resolved to propound that to her, without the enjoyment of which, he could not be happy nor quiet, wherefore being resolv’d what to do, he was now to think how to do it, and believing that if he should begin any discourse upon a subject which she hitherto had wholly dislik’d, he should be interrupted and not heard out, and it may be she would proceed into some violent language against him, wherefore he was resolv’d to communicate his thoughts to her in writing, and there he intended to be very plain with her, whereupon he writ, and sent her this Letter.

Madam,

I_t is now some years since I first began to affect you, and that affection in time became so violent, that I was forc’d to discover it to you, you did not at all dislike it at first, for in little time found a tender esteem from you, which by my constancy, and perseverance was so encreas’d, that I perceiv’d you did also love me, neither were you asham’d to own the affection you had for me, but made me protestations of a love that should be lasting, and there was nothing wanting, as we thought to make us both happy, but the consent of your Parents: but that not being gained, I preferr’d your interest and quiet before my own, and not being able to live near you, and not see and love you, which by the inhumanity of your friends I was forbidden to do, I entred into a voluntary banishment, and leaving all the enjoyments and pleasures of my own Countrey, went into another, hoping in time that fortune who had been so cross to me might be more favourable, but although I staid some time in Forreign parts, and at my return heard of my misfortune, and indeed your as unfortunate marriage, yet time had not banished you out of my thoughts, I still had you perfectly in remembrance, and found that my love to you was so far from being extinguished, that it was then ready to burst out into a new flame. The obstacle of your being married and thereby of the impossibility of my attaining my ends, did not hinder me from endeavouring it, and I did so constantly persevere in my endeavours, that I brought you not only to a mute compliance, but by degrees I brought you to acknowlege that you still loved me, and that if you were ever free to chuse, I should be the happy man whom you would have for a Husband, the constancy of my affection hath wrought this miracle, but I cannot perswade you to proceed further, and this at present is the state of the matter between us. Now Madam, having done all this, I am perswaded you may yield to what I further desire of you: I know the strictness of your Virtue absolutely forbids you any thoughts, but I pray let me be plain with you, and pardon these expressions which I shall use to you, although you may judge them immodest: Madam, you have promised to make me your Husband when it is in your power, and I believe it is in your thoughts that one day you may do it, for he who is your present Husband, appears to me and all the world to be half dead already; He being in this condition, why will you not permit me to reap the fruits of a long affection? but anticipating that happy time that I hope must and will come: and Madam, besides these Reasons, I believe and hope it will be for your profit, for I understand the Condition of your marriage runs thus, that if he dies without Issue by you, then his Estate returns to his next Heir, and thereby you will be never the better for your marriage, and all this time you have spent with him, is time ill spent and lost; but if you will permit me, I hope to prevent the losing of the Estate, for I question not but there is so great a harmony in our affections, that a Child will proceed from us, and when you lose your Husband, you will not lose your Estate. This Madam, is good policy, and although in the strictness of your virtue you may not entertain any such thoughts, yet I am confident you may live to repent the not doing it, Therefore hoping that these reasons will be sufficient to over-rule you and that I offer this as much for your content as my own, I ever rest_,

Your constant Lover, _M. G._

CHAP. V.

_Mistress_ Dorothy _having finished this last Story, relates how a woman
by her own confession, at her Husbands death discovered the common
inconstancy of the Sex, and her disloyalty to her Husband, by being
provided before hand._

This (continued Mistress _Dorothy_) was the Letter that our Lover sent to his Mistress, whose chast thoughts engag’d her in a great anger against him, but whether it were real or feign’d you may judge by the sequel, for it was not long er’e he was admitted into her favour, and then having the liberty of converse, and being resolv’d to prosecute his intentions, he so backed his Letters with arguments, that caused her to give a mute compliance, and silence, being the best token of consent, he by that gathered that she did yield, wherefore he again engaging the Chamber-maid in his Designs, and acquainting her that her Mistress had yielded to him in every particular but enjoyment, neither did she refuse him that, he desired her to stand his Friend so far, as to be instrumental in giving him the opportunity to come to her Bed side when she lay alone, as it was usual with her to do; The Chamber-maid believing that she should not anger her Mistress, and oblige her Friend, and being willing to further and not hinder any sport, was not long e’re she gave our Lover his desir’d satisfaction; for she bringing him to the Chamber when her Mistress was in Bed, there left him. He who was not ignorant how to deal with a Lady soon over-rul’d her, and she seeing it was to no purpose to resist, with a kind of willing unwillingness permitted him to come to Bed to her; what they did you may judge by the event, for in convenient time she discovered her self to be with Child, she frequently lying with her husband also; and being with Child her Husband was an overjoy’d man, and did hope, that as he concluded himself able to get a Child, so he might in time be restored to his former health: Our Lovers though they often met, yet they used all wariness and circumspection, and our Gallant to take off the opinion of his still courting his old Mistress, began a Courtship with a new one, or at least pretended so to do, and thus the time was spent till such time as her time came to be delivered of a Child, which proving to be a brave lusty Boy, gave great joy to all parties, especially to the supposed Father, who was much joyed that he had so hopeful an Heir to enjoy his Estate, and his Wife being again strong, and having layn in her full time, he again accompanied her; but in short time after he piqu’d off, and as he had deceived his wife in his life time, so now in his death he cheated the very worms, for they expecting a full body, found nothing but a meer Skelleton to feed on, you may be sure our Lover was joyful enough at the so long wished for, and now happy News of the death of his Rival, neither was his wife much discontented, although by her outward deportment she made the world believe that she was a most disconsolate widow, and she was so reserv’d that for some time she kept her Chamber, and much longer kept within doors, not visiting any body, nor permitting any body to visit her but her Parents, and those who were nearest related to her Husband. However she and her intended Husband held a Correspondency, but it was but with Letters, which were interchanged by her Chamber-maids assistance; In time all these mourning Solemnities were over, and she appear’d abroad again as resplendent as the Sun, and the fame of her plentiful Estate, great vertue, and charming beauty, drew to her many Adorers, whose business was Sirreverence, Love; she who was resolv’d what Instrument she would play on, and what Pipe should make her musick for the future, gave them all the hearing, but was absolute in her answers.

Her Parents seeing she had so many Suiters, desired her to make choice of one of them, and again engage her self in a matrimonial Life, she replyed, that in time she might again be perswaded to do so, but when ever she gave her consent to alter her condition, she intended to be more curious than she had been, and to have more freedom in her choice; They replyed, that indeed they had in a manner impos’d the former Match upon her, which had been fortunate enough, but however, when she had a mind to alter her condition, she should have all possible freedom in her Choice. She being thus left to her own dispose, in short time permitted her old Sweet-heart to make one in the number of her Suiters, what he wanted of Means to carry on his business the more splendidly withal, she supplied him, so that for Gallantry and good Mien, he outdid all her other Suiters, and being confident of Success in his undertaking, he baffl’d them all, who were a Company of whining obsequious Lovers, so that at his appearance in full lustre, they like stars at the day and Suns approach, shrink back, and disapear’d; leaving him to Rule, and Reign Soveraign in that heart where he already had full possession, and now she being absolutely at her own dispose, she told the world that she thought she was obliged to reward his great constancy, by permitting him to be what he had so long desired to be, her Husband: and therefore he was married to her; and now both their joyes, were compleated, and they both thought themselves fully recompenced, for their many troubles and so long stay, especially when they considered how much better their condition was now than it would have been had they been married at such time as they both at first desired; for although he concluded that his Predecessor had possest her, yet it had cost him dear, for his Estate was all given in Exchange, and now lawfully invested and settled on a Child, who although he and all the world believed to be his lawful Heir, yet they knew the contrary, and our Lover was Father of a Son and Heir the first day of his marriage, and which was the greatest Paradox, such a Child as he did conclude was of his own begetting; and now she did not (I suppose) repent of the counsel he had given her, and which they together had put in practice, to the great satisfaction of them both; These Considerations (said Mistress _Dorothy_) I think were very considerable, and conduced much to their satisfaction, and now, said she, I think you can expect no more relations of this nature, for in this condition I left our two Lovers, and here I shall put an end to all that I know of his Adventures.

I seeing that Mistress _Dorothy_ had done, and finding that she had fully finished her discourse, told her that I wish’d all true Lovers, no worse a conclusion of their amours than these two had; but, continued I it was well that they managed their affairs so privately, that neither her Parents nor Friends had any suspition of him, for if they had, it might have fallen out worse with them, and this our recital puts me in mind of a small story that I have heard, which in regard it somewhat resembles yours I shall presently relate to you, and thus it was:

A young-woman had (by the over-ruling and perswasions of friends) permitted her self to be married to an old man, who lived some years with her, but she was soon weary of his Company, and being free in her converse and carriage, gave opportunity to several young men to court her, her Husband saw it, but without any possibility of redressing the same, for he being old and feeble, and she young, obstinate, and wilful, did rule the Roast her self, and so disturb’d and vex’d him, that it shortned his days. When he was on his Death-Bed, and believed he should die, he like a good Christian was resolv’d to be in Charity with all the world, but his wife had so cross’d and affronted him, that she who of all the world he should be most in charity with, was most out of his books, and he was resolv’d to put her out of his Will too as much as he could, she believing that he would die indeed, and that it might be to her prejudice if he should die in the minde he was then in, was resolved if possible to put him into a better mind, and therefore she attended, pleased, and humored him, in every thing that it was possible to do; he seeing so great a change in her carriage, changed his mind also, and being now very weak, and just at deaths door, made his Will, and in good and orderly manner named her his loving Wife, and making her full and sole Executrix of that his last Will and Testament, gave her all he had, and now having seal’d his Will and given it into her custody, he would also give her his blessing, and told he was in full and absolute Charity with her and all the world, only he desired one request of her, which he praid her to grant him, and not be angry at the proposition he should make her; she promis’d him attention and obedience, and thereupon he thus began:

Although you have of late given me some Testimonies of your love and obedience, and thereby won me to a good opinion of you, yet know, till that of late I had an ill opinion of you, and that not without cause, especially to the outward appearance, and indeed I must needs tell you, I was troubled with that disease which the world calls jealousie, but your late good carriage hath cur’d me of that distemper, and now I am dying, I give you free leave to marry, and conjure you so to do with all decent conveniency; but above all things, I only beg you not to be married to _F. K._ who of all your Company-keepers I had most suspition of, and therefore have most cause to hate.

This is that which I desire of you, and which I hope you will as you have promis’d me obey me, in: The good woman seeing that her Husband had finished his discourse, thus replied;

Truly Husband you may, and I hope will rest satisfied that I will obey you, when I shall tell you that I must not, will not, nor cannot be married to the man you name; for I’le assure you I am so far from doing so, that I am already determined to have another, and indeed, to satisfie you farther, I’le assure you the Contract for marriage is already drawn and passed between us, and nothing is wanting to finish it but your death, and the Ceremony of the Church. The poor old man hearing her give this answer, was so troubled at the thought of it, that being almost dead already, this quite kill’d him, whereby she had the means to put her Design in Execution.

Thus said I, have I finished my discourse, and as it much resembles your Story, so I believe your Lady was of the same mind as my woman, although she had so much discretion as to conceal it from all the world; but, continued I, your story is very pleasant, it being such an expedient to get an Heir, and thereby get an Estate, as I have not heard of, and indeed the young Gentleman did deserve to have somewhat considerable for the use of his Lady; for I conclude her his ever since he had took the pains to court her and gain her affections, and promise of marriage, and although his Estate was not equal to hers, yet together their Estates would have been so considerable as might have afforded them a sufficient maintenance; but now it fell out better, she not being much damag’d, he much improv’d by travel, and their Estate now being a very plentiful one. Indeed I wonder why friends should hinder marriages when both parties are agreed, only for the deserts of a little money, when as let them do what they can if either party match otherwise, their lives are commonly miserable, and although Matches are upon that account sometimes obstructed, yet commonly in the end they take effect.

CHAP. VI.

_A Widow that was wealthy resolv’d to marry none but such an one which
should enlarge her Estate, under that Pretence she was cunningly
out-witted by one dropping a Letter; she is married to one not worth a
groat, instead of a Joynter he gives her a Copy of Verses. He
afterwards grows jealous, the sad effects of Jealousie, and a strange
Story thereupon._

I having finished my discourse, it was well approved of, but said Mistress _Dorothy_ often-times the one party being covetous, and marrying only out of hopes of a good estate, is out-witted and deceived by the other, and since, said she, we are entred upon the discourse of marriage, I will give you an account of one who was over-reached in that manner.

There lived a woman of my acquaintance who having been once married, and her Husband dead, was resolved to have an other, but withal, she was resolved that she would have such an one that should enlarge her Estate, which although it was considerable enough, yet she intended now to have such a Husband as should bring an Estate equal to, if not exceeding her own. Her former marriage had been when she was very young, and then it was for love, and that Love being dead, she intended to bury all fond love with him, because she had bin so easily courted, and won by her first Husband, several others put in to be her second; but, as she said, having tryed the effects of love, and finding that it had been likely to have made her miserable, she purpos’d to have no more of that, but intended now to have such a man as she did not hate; one accomplish’d, and likely enough to do a womans business, but all this would not do unless he were rich; and being thus resolv’d, she turned off all Suiters that came to her, that she did not know were thus accomplished.

At length came a Gentleman that was a very likely man to the outward appearance, and he professed he had a hundred pounds _per annum_, and it may be more: Those friends that introduced him into her acquaintance, told her that he was a plain upright honest man, and that what ever he said or should say of himself she might believe, and withal that they knew that his Estate was worth three hundred pounds _per annum_, he having spoken so modestly of himself as a hundred pounds _per annum_ and his and her friends telling her of three hundred _per annum_; she knew not what to think of it, or which to believe, sometimes she was of the opinion that he might have the three hundred pounds _per annum_ her friends talked of, and only out of modesty, and to try her temper, spake but of one hundred pounds himself, because he intended after marriage to be the better esteem’d by her, because things proved better than she expected; and at other times she did not know but that he might be an Imposter, and it may be had little or nothing, and that all this was but a Trick to catch and over-reach her, wherefore she was resolv’d to proceed with all caution.

He being desirous to put an end to his courtship and finish all by matrimony, asked her when the day should be wherein they should be joyned? she told him that she was not in haste, and that it was fit before marriage, to make some provision and settlement of Estate, as that afterwards there might not be any cause to repent, and therefore if he would say, what part of his Estate he would settle and ensure on her, and conclude that, the marriage might soon be concluded on.

To this he presently answered, that his Estate was a hundred pounds _per annum_, and somewhat more, now he would put her to her choice, whether she would have the hundred pound _per annum_ settled on her, or leave the business to his own free will and appointment, telling her that he questioned not but she would deserve well of him, and that then it would be to her advantage, not to have any certain Settlement.

To this proposition she knew not what to answer, but being covetous told him that she would for two or three days consider of it; he was content, and so they parted. The next day he took occasion to visit her again, and pulling somewhat hastily out of his pocket, he dropt a Letter which he did not miss, but going out of the Room left the letter behind him. This Lady seeing it fall, took it up, and seeing that by the Superscription it was directed to him, and being very desirous to know somewhat of his affairs, she was resolv’d to keep and peruse it: wherefore he soon after leaving the house, and she being retired, and having opened the Letter found these Lines:

Sir,

A_fter due Respects to you, these are to acquaint you that although we have had the misfortune of your long absence, yet your affairs have hitherto fallen out fortunate enough, and are likely still to continue so, for of the last half years Rent due to you, I have gathered in two hundred pounds, which you know is the whole within a small matter, and there is three hundred pounds more fallen upon you by an accident which you may receive at your first arrival: for_ S. L. _your old Tenant in your Copyhold and his Wife are both dead, and their Son hath offered two hundred pounds for a new Lease, renewed in his and his brothers Names, besides an addition of twenty pounds_ per annum _Rent more than formerly, and a hundred pounds more is offered by Goodman_ L. _to put in his Sons Life into his Lease, so that I am much importuned to dispatch them, If you please to perform these two Leases (as in my opinion you may) they are so desirous of their Bargains that they will pay down the money to me, and take my promise that you will at your return seal to them, so that if you please to accept it I will send up the whole sum, five hundred pounds together, it being more safe and profitable for you to dispose it at_ London _than here._

_And now having done with your business, I beseech you pardon me, if I desire to know whether, and how you proceed in your Love Sute, for the Widow_ R. _who you had some affection for her, is desirous that you would renew your Suit, and she is in some better capacity as to her Estate than formerly, for an Unkle lately dead, hath left her five hundred pounds: but Sir, I knowing that you do not esteem money equal to affection must be silent, and leave all to your own discretion; Thus desiring your Worships Pardon for this boldness, I rest_

Your Worships Servant

and Steward,

_L. T._

Our covetous Widow having greedily read over this Letter, was hugely pleas’d with the Contents thereof, and hugg’d her self for the good Fortune she was likely to have; for now she resolved that her Sweet-heart had near five hundred pound _per annum_, besides five hundred pounds ready mony in his Purse that she knew of, but the latter end of the Letter did not at all please her, wherein the Steward was so bold as to put him in minde of his old Love, and she was very fearful that the five hundred pounds additional Estate that she had, might incline him to renew his Suit; wherefore all these matters being considered, she was resolv’d to delay or protract the business no longer, but upon his next desires of marriage, to accept of it, and that upon his own terms.

Wherefore two or three days being past over, wherein she had promis’d to consider of it, and he again desiring her Answer, and withal telling her that his occasions called him into the Countrey, she therefore tells him that she was so far perswaded of his Love and Honesty, that she was ready to be married to him so soon as he pleased, and that without any terms leaving it to his own disposing, not doubting but as she had generously cast herself upon him, so that he would be as generous in his providence for her; he replyed that she should command all he had, and then by her consent ordering the Wedding Solemnities, they were within three days married. She hoping that by her freeness with him, he would be civil to her, gave him the Keys, and thereby the possession of all her Money, Plate, and writings, and he taking so much as he had present occasion for, returned the Keys to her again.

And thus they strived to out-do one another in kindness; but some weeks being past, and he not at all speaking of his Countrey affairs, she put him in mind of them, telling him that it would be convenient for him to visit his house in the Countrey, and that if he pleas’d she would accompany him in the Countrey, and withal adding, that she hoped he would be as good as his word, and make her a considerable Joynture; he reply’d that she had so well pleas’d him, that he would make her a Joynture of all he had, she believing that it was as considerable as the Letter express’d, gave him many thanks; and thus he fed her with good words, but still delay’d his Journey, and put her off with some odd pretence or other, but she at last becoming importunate with him for her Joynture, he told her that he was so well skill’d in Law, that he would draw a Draught of it himself, and give it her to advise with her friends, she was now well enough content, only she still put him in mind of the Draught of the Joynture; he told her he was about it, and had almost finished it, and one day told her that now it was done, and that he also had occasion to take a Journey for three days, and in that time she might confer with her friends about the Draught he would leave her; she was very well content, and he taking money in his Pocket went his journey; when she taking the Paper he had left, and believing it to be the draught of her Joynture, went to some of her nearest Relations to confer with, and have their advice about it, but they opening the Paper, instead of the expected draught of a Joynture, they found these Lines:

_Grave plodding Sirs, my Wife I’ve sent to you,
That you’le advise her what she’d had best to do;
She’s rich and so am I, beyond controul,
For I have Lordships boundless as my soul;
She’s vastly rich what need she covet more?
Yet gaining me, she’s richer than before;
I have no Lands, confest, but I have wit,
Make her such Joynture as you please of it:
I have good parts too, that she knows full well,
And may confess, if not asham’d to tell;
Both which she shall command nor will I be
Unkind to her that was thus kind to me;
What would she more? having enough of Pelf,
Sh’ hath all she could have, since she hath my self:
Dear-second-self, be not displeas’d, that I
Have fram’d a Letter to gain thee thereby:
Who would not rack his wits to spring a Myne
So rich? all other’s poor compar’d to thine;
Now here the Powers above henceforth decree,
That none may work within that Mine but me._

The Gentleman returning, found his wife in so pleasant and _debonair_ a temper, that he thought she had complotted with her friends some satisfactory revenge that might be equivalent to the stratagems he had laid to gain a wealthy Widow, with the subtle pretences of a fair promising fortune. But having discourst her to every thing, and penetrating the very recesses of her heart, found she was more satisfied with his wit in this cunning contrivance, than if he had the real enjoyment of what he so largely pretended; and now she hugg’d his soul with much more ardency than her feeble hands could do his body: great was the satisfaction on both sides, but much greater was the Gentlewomans, finding an Husband answerable to her desires, beyond all expectations; neither was the Gentleman backward in making ample acknowledgements how happy he was in that his propitious stars had by their clear shining influence lighted him to so fair a wife, with so large a Fortune: The Friends and Relations of this joyful Bride were all very well-contented by being out-witted by a Gentleman every way compleat both as to Soul and Body, each wishing it had been their lucky hap to have had a Son in Law of so worthy a person.

For a considerable time they nothing but treated one another, which was done on all sides with so much Gallantry and generous freedom, as sufficiently demonstrated the greatness of the respects and friendship they had for one another. The new married Couple were like a pair of Turtles, always wooing and courting each other, with so much ardency and affection, that they were look’d upon by all, as the best Pattern of a kind Husband and a loving Wife. After this manner they lived some years, and obtained the fruit of all their enjoyments, by having several Children Males and Females: But as it is usually and philosophically said that what is violent is seldom permanent, so it prov’d true in our two Lovers; for though there was no similitude in the loves of others to theirs, yet length of time made their loves so dissimular to each other by an unhappy accident, that we have scarcely heard of an Example of the like kind, which produced a more dismal and lamentable Tragedy.

This Gentlewoman as I have informed you, was an extraordinary Beauty, very handsome, and of a winning carriage, very familiar where she observed any thing of merit or desert; only to be blamed for a small matter of Avarice, which had ever ran in the veins of her Ancestors; but principally to be admired for her modest deportment and chaste disposition. In her minority when the sweet Rose-bud, her virginity was scarce blown, she had a vast quantity of Suiters, which dayly sollicited her Parents to give their consent that they might address themselves to the Daughter by the way of marriage, some of the more wealthy sort were permitted, others for want of a Fortune suitable to hers, were denied, but she for her part lookt upon them all with so much indifferency, that she gave none an occasion to boast of her extraordinary favours.

Whilst her amorous Visitants were despairing by reason of her extream coldness, a young and sprightly Gentleman hearing of her incomparable beauty, and rare accomplishments crowded in among the rest of her Adorers, and at first sight concluded what he saw, to out-strip what ever he had taken upon report, and fell passionately in love with her, and having not other Rhetorique but his eyes, he employed them so effectually, that they spake more in his behalf, than if he had had the advantage of a score of eloquent tongues to have pleaded his Cause; the warming Rays of these two little glittering Orbs thaw’d her affection with as much facility as the melting Sun dissolves an hoary frost crisping the Pearly-dew’d grass in a _May_-morning. Thus at the first interview there was a reciprocal return of each others affections, but though there was a suitableness in their wills, yet there was a desparity in their Fortunes, which caused her friends to be utterly against any overture that should be made as to a Match with this young Gentleman and their Daughter, and lest there should be any private conference between them which might more strongly cement their affections, they resolved to prevent all things of that nature by sending her to a place not only remote, but altogether unknown to any but themselves.

What an heart-breaking this was to our two Lovers I will give you leave to imagine; for a time it was almost intolerable, but Absence the best remedy for a Love-sick heart cured her in some part; and hearing that her friend’s discontent had forced him to travel with a resolution never to return, (she being call’d home to her fathers house) was induced to permit the visits of her Amorists as before; and now seeing herself incapable of holding out longer, by reason of the perswasion of her Parents, and incessant importunities of her Lover, yields to him, and so they were married, with whom she lived very happily; but her Husband dying, she lived a while a widow, in hope to hear from her first Lover, which ever makes the deepest impression on the amorous heart, but being assur’d by several credible persons (as she thought) that he was dead, she bathing his memory with some tears, resolved when opportunity should fair and advantagiously offer it self, she would throw off her Widow-hood and re-assume her former condition. To this purpose several addressed themselves to her, but she being a politick and crafty woman, gave ear to them all, but gave credit to none. And indeed for my part I cannot but applaud her prudence in not too hastily marrying after the decease of her Husband, if it were for nothing else than the dayly treats a woman shall meet withal in that condition, if she be handsome; if wealthy, how will the presents come tumbling hourly into her lap? Not a beauty hunter in the Town but will endeavour to have a flurt at the Widow, and not a younger brother or decay’d Gallant but will try to sawder up his crack’d Fortunes, though he spend his whole Revenue on her, that is, either what he hath about him, or what he can borrow upon a thousand Oaths and Protestations. But to return where I left off, this Widow admitted several to caress her, whom she entertained handsomely befitting their quality; among the rest this last (indigent) Gentleman accosted her, the greatness of whose affections with the pretence of a great Estate, carried her from all the rest; happily they lived some considerable time, and longer they might have so done, had not this Gentlewomans first Lover returned, who did so upon no other account than that he heard his dearly beloved Mistress was in a condition to receive him into her bosom, and so make him amends for all the sorrow and trouble he had sustained for her sake: but finding his expectations frustrated, he behaved himself like a man distracted, especially when he had heard from her own mouth, had he been present, of all the men in the world she would have chosen him for her Husband. This indeared expression as it would at another time have transported him into an Extasie of Joy, so now it wrought contrary effects upon him, for to think by his rash and inconsiderate absenting himself he had lost that inestimate prize he might have enjoy’d by waiting near it with patience. His madness encreas’d to that height, he took his Bed and fell into a desperate Fever; his Mistress hearing in what a sad condition this poor Gentleman lay for her sake, could do no less than give him a visit to comfort him, and reduce him if it were possible to his former understanding, for he raved night and day, continually calling on her name, exclaiming against her cruelty, and I know not what.

The ravings of this Gentleman were bruited every where some pitying him, whilst they cunningly pryed into the cause of his distemper, and by reason he was a person well known to most of the inhabitants, old stories were rapt up, and all concluded the deplorableness of his present state proceeded from this Gentlewoman.

Her Husband was not so deaf, but that he heard all these mutterings, which extreamly disturb’d his spirits, insomuch that he now began to question in his thoughts his Wife’s fidelity to him, but exprest not his resentments in the least, resolving to see what the event of these things would be. The Gentlewoman on the other side fearing lest she should be the death of him she once loved equally with her own life, resolved to restore him if she could, and to that intent she judg’d the best expedient was to remove his despair, by giving him some hopes that he had a share in that heart still which was once totally his; which she did with so much assurance (though with no such intent) that he had not so lost his senses but that he understood what she said, and therefore begg’d a repetition of these words again, which she did so sweetly and with so much seeming reality, that this remedy had like to have proved his absolute ruine, for at this he cryed out as loud as his weakned spirits would give leave, O let me die! since none more happy now than I, and so fell into a swound; there were none in the Room but these two, but the Gentlewoman with her shrieks soon fill’d the Room, who assisted all to recal him, with much difficulty they did, and now their greatest care was to get him to sleep; he was now easily perswaded to any thing, to all their admirations, and so reposing him self that night, there was by the next morning wrought so wonderful a change that all his friends were amazed. This miraculous recovery plainly appeared to proceed from his Doctress for after this there was not a visit that she gave him, which did not sensibly amend him.

At length he was restored to his perfect health, and now did this Gentlewomans Husband fall sick of a worse distemper, the _Plague of Jealousie_, and raved as the other had done, but in a worse manner; for now he did not stick to call that wife (which he knew with all her Friends to be honest and virtuous) Whore, Strumpet, _&c._ It was to no purpose for her to justify her innocency, for he was so strongly possest with an opinion of her dishonesty, that he would not hear the least Plea in her behalf, but so enrag’d he was that nothing proceeded out of his mouth but vows to be revenged on his Wife and loose Associate; several attempts he made on them both, but ineffectual; insomuch that it was now high time for their friends to advise them not to come near him, till some means might be used to convince him of his misbelief, and to lay open the danger that would ensue should he persist in this misgrounded opinion.

This counsel was well receiv’d and followed, this Jealous Gentleman being thus deserted, and the Subjects of his revenge removed from him, ran up and down like a mad-man, but seeing at last this could not be the way to effect his purpose, desisted from raving, and seemed to hearken to the counsel of his friends who advised by all means to harbour no such unworthy thought of his wife, pawning their souls she was as honest as their own, with many more perswasions, which he hearkned to with great attention seemingly, and to be short, acknowledg’d his error; and if that they would be the instruments of bringing his wife to him again, he would on his knees beg her forgiveness, and the Gentleman whom he had wrong’d, they making him bind his promise with many Vows and Protestations, assured him they would use their utmost endeavour, in short time they prevailed with the Gentlewoman to return upon the Conditions aforesaid.