_Mistress_ Dorothy _having finished this last Story, relates how a woman by her own confession, at her Husbands death discovered the common inconstancy of the Sex, and her disloyalty to her Husband, by being provided before hand._
This (continued Mistress _Dorothy_) was the Letter that our Lover sent to his Mistress, whose chast thoughts engag’d her in a great anger against him, but whether it were real or feign’d you may judge by the sequel, for it was not long er’e he was admitted into her favour, and then having the liberty of converse, and being resolv’d to prosecute his intentions, he so backed his Letters with arguments, that caused her to give a mute compliance, and silence, being the best token of consent, he by that gathered that she did yield, wherefore he again engaging the Chamber-maid in his Designs, and acquainting her that her Mistress had yielded to him in every particular but enjoyment, neither did she refuse him that, he desired her to stand his Friend so far, as to be instrumental in giving him the opportunity to come to her Bed side when she lay alone, as it was usual with her to do; The Chamber-maid believing that she should not anger her Mistress, and oblige her Friend, and being willing to further and not hinder any sport, was not long e’re she gave our Lover his desir’d satisfaction; for she bringing him to the Chamber when her Mistress was in Bed, there left him. He who was not ignorant how to deal with a Lady soon over-rul’d her, and she seeing it was to no purpose to resist, with a kind of willing unwillingness permitted him to come to Bed to her; what they did you may judge by the event, for in convenient time she discovered her self to be with Child, she frequently lying with her husband also; and being with Child her Husband was an overjoy’d man, and did hope, that as he concluded himself able to get a Child, so he might in time be restored to his former health: Our Lovers though they often met, yet they used all wariness and circumspection, and our Gallant to take off the opinion of his still courting his old Mistress, began a Courtship with a new one, or at least pretended so to do, and thus the time was spent till such time as her time came to be delivered of a Child, which proving to be a brave lusty Boy, gave great joy to all parties, especially to the supposed Father, who was much joyed that he had so hopeful an Heir to enjoy his Estate, and his Wife being again strong, and having layn in her full time, he again accompanied her; but in short time after he piqu’d off, and as he had deceived his wife in his life time, so now in his death he cheated the very worms, for they expecting a full body, found nothing but a meer Skelleton to feed on, you may be sure our Lover was joyful enough at the so long wished for, and now happy News of the death of his Rival, neither was his wife much discontented, although by her outward deportment she made the world believe that she was a most disconsolate widow, and she was so reserv’d that for some time she kept her Chamber, and much longer kept within doors, not visiting any body, nor permitting any body to visit her but her Parents, and those who were nearest related to her Husband. However she and her intended Husband held a Correspondency, but it was but with Letters, which were interchanged by her Chamber-maids assistance; In time all these mourning Solemnities were over, and she appear’d abroad again as resplendent as the Sun, and the fame of her plentiful Estate, great vertue, and charming beauty, drew to her many Adorers, whose business was Sirreverence, Love; she who was resolv’d what Instrument she would play on, and what Pipe should make her musick for the future, gave them all the hearing, but was absolute in her answers.