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.
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