if she had not asked her; and was sorry she
had offended.

She sent for her at supper time: Said she, I have another question to
ask thee, woman, and tell me yes, if thou darest. Was ever any thing so
odd?--Why then, said Mrs. Jewkes, I will say No, before your ladyship
speaks.--My master laughed: Poor woman! said he.--She called her
insolent, and assurance; and said, Begone, bold woman as thou art!--but
come hither. Dost thou know if that young harlot is to be with my
brother to-night?

She said she knew not what to answer, because she had threatened her if
she said yes. But at last my lady said, I will know the bottom of this
iniquity. I suppose they won't have so much impudence to be together
while I'm in the house; but I dare say they have been bed-fellows.

Said she, I will lie to-night in the room I was born in; so get that
bed ready. That room being our bedchamber, Mrs. Jewkes, after some
hesitation, replied, Madam, my master lies there, and has the key. I
believe, woman, said she, thou tellest me a story. Indeed, madam, said
she, he does; and has some papers there he will let nobody see; for Mrs.
Jewkes said, she feared she would beat her if she went up, and found by
my clothes, and some of my master's, how it was.

So she said, I will then lie in the best room, as it is called; and
Jackey shall lie in the little green room adjoining to it. Has thy
master got the keys of those?--No, madam, said Mrs. Jewkes: I will order
them to be made ready for your ladyship.

And where dost thou lay they pursy sides? said she. Up two pair of
stairs, madam, next the garden. And where lies the young harlotry?
continued she. Sometimes with me, madam, said she. And sometimes with
thy virtuous master, I suppose? said my lady.--Ha, woman! what sayest
thou? I must not speak, said Mrs. Jewkes. Well, thou mayest go, said
she; but thou hast the air of a secret keeper of that sort I dare say
thoul't set the good work forward most cordially. Poor Mrs. Jewkes, said
my master, and laughed most heartily.

This talk we had whilst we were undressing. So she and her woman lay
together in the room my master lay in before I was happy.

I said, Dear sir, pray, in the morning let me lock myself up in the
closet, as soon as you rise; and not be called down for ever so much;
for I am afraid to see her ladyship: And I will employ myself about my
journal, while these things are in my head. Don't be afraid, my dear,
said he: Am not I with you?