 Mrs. Wilkins, who having executed her Commission with great
Dispatch, tho' at fifteen Miles Distance, brought back such a Confirmation of
the Schoolmaster's Guilt, that Mr. Allworthy 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.
    Whether 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 other Reasons would never have been brought to depose as she did, had
not Mrs. Wilkins, with great Art, fished all out of her, at her own House, and
had she not indeed made Promises in Mr. Allworthy's Name, that the Punishment of
her Husband should not be such as might any wise affect his Family.
    Partridge still persisted in asserting his Innocence, tho' he admitted he
had made the above-mentioned Confession; which he however endeavoured to account
for, by protesting that he was forced into it by the continued Importunity she
used, who vowed, that as she was sure of his Guilt, she would never leave
tormenting him till he had owned it, and faithfully promised, that in such Case,
she would never mention it to him more. Hence, he said, he had been induced
falsely to confess himself guilty, tho' he was innocent; and that he believed he
should have confest a Murder from the same Motive.
    Mrs. Partridge could not bear this Imputation with Patience; and having no
other Remedy, in the present Place but Tears, she called forth a plentiful
Assistance from them, and then addressing herself to Mr. Allworthy, she said,
(or rather cried) »May it please your Worship, there never was any poor Woman so
injured
