Page:A Treatise concerning the Use and Abuse of the Marriage Bed.djvu/387

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kept her original Speech in her Thoughts, that the Gentleman was in Love with her; but being resolved to put her to the Necessity of asking her again, she kept back a great while; at last the Lady brought it about again, and ask'd, Who this Gentleman was?

She answered nimbly, she did not know him; but, it seems, he was one of her Admirers.

What do you mean by that? says she, I don't know him.

'Tis no matter for that, says she, he knows you.

How do you know that? says the Lady, when you say you don't know the Man.

O, Madam, says she, I know it for all that.

And thus she led her on Artfully, till she found she had raised her Expectation a little; and then she told her Story thus:

Why, Madam, says she, as I told you, I thrust my Chair back to fit farther off, the Gentleman being like to fit next me; but Madam ———, meaning the Lady at whose House they were, came, and thrusting the Gentleman's Chair next to mine; Come, Sir, says she to him, pray fit next to this Gentlewoman, she lodges in the same House where the Lady lives that is your particular Favourite.

Say you so, says the Gentleman, with all my Heart; I honour every Thing that is but known to Madam ———, meaning your self; and so he sat down.

Who can that be? says the Lady.

Nay, indeed, says she, I don't know that; but he is a very fine Gentleman, I assure you; so fine a Carriage, so modest, and talks so fine.

Then