s; and their obstinacy will serve them for meat
and drink. I think I never saw her look better though, in my life!--But,
I suppose, she lives upon love. This sweet Mr. Williams, and her little
villanous plots together, have kept her alive and well, to be sure: For
mischief, love, and contradiction, are the natural aliments of a woman.

Poor I was forced to hear all this, and be silent; and indeed my heart
was too full to speak.

And so you say, said he, that she had another project, but yesterday, to
get away? She denies it herself, said she; but it had all the appearance
of one. I'm sure she made me in a fearful pucker about it: And I am glad
your honour is come, with all my heart; and I hope, whatever be your
honour's intention concerning her, you will not be long about it; for
you'll find her as slippery as an eel, I'll assure you.

Sir, said I, and clasped his knees with my arms, not knowing what I did,
and falling on my knees, Have mercy on me, and hear me, concerning that
wicked woman's usage of me--

He cruelly interrupted me, and said, I am satisfied she has done her
duty: it signifies nothing what you say against Mrs. Jewkes. That you
are here, little hypocrite as you are, pleading your cause before me,
is owing to her care of you; else you had been with the parson.--Wicked
girl! said he, to tempt a man to undo himself, as you have done him, at
a time I was on the point of making him happy for his life!

I arose; but said with a deep sigh, I have done, sir!--I have done!--I
have a strange tribunal to plead before. The poor sheep in the fable had
such an one; when it was tried before the vulture, on the accusation of
the wolf!

So, Mrs. Jewkes, said he, you are the wolf, I the vulture, and this the
poor innocent lamb on her trial before us.--Oh! you don't know how well
this innocent is read in reflection. She has wit at will, when she has
a mind to display her own romantic innocence, at the price of other
people's characters.

Well, said the aggravated creature, this is nothing to what she
has called me: I have been a Jezebel, a London prostitute, and what
not?--But I am contented with her ill names, now I see it is her
fashion, and she can call your honour a vulture.

Said I, I had no thought of comparing my master--and was going to say
on: but he said, Don't prate, girl!--No, said she, it don't become you,
I am sure.

Well, said I, since I must not speak, I will hold my peace; but there
is a righteo