Child, said she, thou art very
impertinent to my kinsman; thou can'st not be civil to me; and my
ladyship's woman is much thy betters. But that's not the thing!--Dost
thou think thou art really married?
I see, madam, said I, you are resolved not to be pleased with any answer
I shall return: If I should say, I am not, then your ladyship will call
me hard names, and, perhaps, I should tell a fib. If I should say, I am,
your ladyship will ask, how I have the impudence to be so?--and will call
it a sham-marriage. I will, said she, be answered more directly. Why,
what, madam, does it signify what I think? Your ladyship will believe as
you please.
But can'st thou have the vanity, the pride, the folly, said she, to think
thyself actually married to my brother? He is no fool, child; and
libertine enough of conscience; and thou art not the first in the list of
his credulous harlots.--Well, well, said I, (and was in a sad flutter,)
as I am easy, and pleased with my lot, pray, madam, let me continue so,
as long as I can. It will be time enough for me to know the worst, when
the worst comes. And if it should be so bad, your ladyship should pity
me, rather than thus torment me before my time.
Well, said she, but dost not think I am concerned, that a young wench,
whom my poor dear mother loved so well, should thus cast herself away,
and suffer herself to be deluded and undone, after such a noble stand as
thou madst for so long a time?
I think myself far from being deluded and undone, and am as innocent and
virtuous as ever I was in my life.
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