member it; a miserable woman
it has made me: but you know, father, a marriage-vow is but a thing of
course, which all women take when they would get a husband.

_Dom._ A vow is a very solemn thing; and 'tis good to keep it: but,
notwithstanding, it may be broken upon some occasions. Have you
striven with all your might against this frailty?

_Elv._ Yes, I have striven; but I found it was against the stream.
Love, you know, father, is a great vow-maker; but he's a greater
vow-breaker.

_Dom._ 'Tis your duty to strive always; but, notwithstanding, when we
have done our utmost, it extenuates the sin.

_Gom._ I can hold no longer.--Now, gentlewoman, you are confessing
your enormities; I know it, by that hypocritical downcast
look:--enjoin her to sit bare upon a bed of nettles, father; you can
do no less, in conscience.

_Dom._ Hold your peace; are you growing malapert? will you force me to
make use of my authority? your wife's a well disposed and a virtuous
lady; I say it, _In verbo sacerdotis._

_Elv._ I know not what to do, father; I find myself in a most
desperate condition; and so is the colonel, for love of me.

_Dom._ The colonel, say you! I wish it be not the same young gentleman
I know. 'Tis a gallant young man, I must confess, worthy of any lady's
love in Christendom,--in a lawful way, I mean: of such a charming
behaviour, so bewitching to a woman's eye, and, furthermore, so
charitably given; by all good tokens, this must be my colonel
Hernando.

_Elv._ Ay, and my colonel too, father:--I am overjoyed!--and are you
then acquainted with him?

_Dom._ Acquainted with him! why, he haunts me up and down; and, I am
afraid, it is for love of you; for he pressed a letter upon me, within
this hour, to deliver to you. I confess I received it, lest he should
send it by some other; but with full resolution never to put it into
your hands.

_Elv._ Oh, dear father, let me have it, or I shall die!

_Gom._ Whispering still! A pox of your close committee! I'll listen,
I'm resolved. [_Steals nearer._

_Dom._ Nay, if you are obstinately bent to see it, use your
discretion; but, for my part, I wash my hands of it.--What makes you
listening there? get farther off; I preach not to thee, thou wicked
eaves dropper.

_Elv._ I'll kneel down, father, as if I were taking absolution, if
you'll but please to stand before me.

_Dom._ At your peril be it then. I have told you the ill conseq