 extraordinary trait of superior female cunning. I have said that Mrs. Tadpole—for we shall call her so in future—had her doubts as to who slept with her at Lisle, but that those doubts had subsided, and that at length she had fully believed it could be no other than Charles. Can it be credited that she was inspired with hope, from the recollection of

this circumstance, and that she flattered herself, should she take a favourable opportunity of representing it privately, a repetition of the crime might give her a power over him! What a pity that Figgins, who thought, as Kiddy has it, ploughing with the heifer might work out something for the general good, should undeceive her, which he did, and so render all her schemes abortive.
The documents which were explained to Mr. Tadpole, I shall now explain to the reader. It will be remembered that Kiddy, on his return to England, called on Mr. Standfast, with an intention of giving up Mr. Tadpole, but that he suddenly altered his resolution, attached himself to that gentleman, and gave up his benefactor. Kiddy knew of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Tadpole, and it must have been something of a very particular nature indeed, predetermined as he was to disclose it, that could prevent him from doing so.—The fact however is as I have related it, and it was not till the nice train of circumstances, conducted by Emma, carried into effect by Swash and his daughter, and at length supported by Figgins, had properly worked upon him, that he wavered in his attachment; but, even when he had done so, nothing could be adduced against Tadpole but Kiddy's ipse dixit, which was grounded upon a

confession of the gentleman and lady, during a squabble, when they were in France, and when they thought Kiddy out of ear-shot.
Without collateral evidence therefore nothing could be done. This Kiddy contrived to procure, and it was not long before he suspected that he should get at it through a gentleman who, in a very importunate way, would sometimes call on Mr. Tadpole; for some hints that constantly passed between that worthy wight and his lady, after he was gone, convinced Flush that he knew something of their private affairs.
One day, as this gentleman was descending the staircase, after a long and pretty loud conversation with Tadpole, the latter followed him, saying,
'You may make yourself very easy, for I will send to you on Wednesday by the post.'

This was heard by Kiddy from the butler'
