determined to ſend for the Criminal, and examine him viva voce. Mr. Partridge, therefore, was ſummoned to attend, in order to his Defence (if he could make any) againſt this Accuſation.
At the Time appointed, before Mr. Allworthy himſelf, at Paradiſe-Hall, came as well the ſaid Partridge, with Anne his Wife, as Mrs. Wilkins, his Accuſer.
And now Mr. Allworthy being ſeated in the Chair of Juſtice, Mr. Partridge was brought before him. Having heard his Accuſation from the Mouth of Mrs. Wilkins, he pleaded, Not guilty, making many vehement Proteſtations of his Innocence.
Mrs. Partridge was then examined, who, after a modeſt Apology for being obliged to ſpeak the Truth againſt her Huſband, related all the Circumſtances with which the Reader hath already been acquainted; and at laſt concluded with her Huſband’s Confeſſion of his Guilt.
Wheeler ſhe had forgiven him or no, I will not venture to determine: But it is certain, ſhe was an unwilling Witneſs in this Cauſe, and it is probable, from certain o-ther
