 Bagillard a Box in the
Ear, and both immediately drew their Swords.
    The Major had scarce ended his Speech, when a Servant came into the Room,
and told me there was a Friar below who desired to speak with me in great Haste.
I shook the Major by the Hand, and told him I not only forgave him, but was
extremely obliged to his Friendship; and then going to the Fryar, I found that
he was Bagillard's Confessor, from whom he came to me, with an earnest Desire of
seeing me, that he might ask my Pardon, and receive my Forgiveness before he
dy'd, for the Injury he had intended me. My Wife at first opposed my going from
some sudden Fears on my Account; but when she was convinced they were
groundless, she consented.
    I found Bagillard in his Bed; for the Major's Sword had passed up to the
very Hilt through his Body. After having very earnestly asked my Pardon, he made
me many Compliments on the Possession of a Woman, who, joined to the most
exquisite Beauty, was Mistress of the most impregnable Virtue; as a Proof of
which, he acknowledged the Vehemence as well as ill Success of his Attempts; and
to make Amelia's Virtue appear the brighter, his Vanity was so predominant, he
could not forbear running over the Names of several Women of Fashion who had
yielded to his Passion, which, he said, had never raged so violently for any
other as for my poor Amelia; and that this Violence, which he had found wholly
unconquerable, he hoped would procure his Pardon at my Hands. It is unnecessary
to mention what I said on the Occasion. I assured him of my entire Forgiveness;
and so we parted. To say the Truth, I afterwards thought myself almost obliged
to him for a Meeting with Amelia, the most luxuriously delicate that can be
imagined.
    I now ran to my Wife, whom I embraced with Raptures of Love and Tenderness.
When the first Torrent of these was a little abated, Confess to me, my Dear,
said she, could your Goodness prevent you from thinking me a little unreasonable
in expressing so much Uneasiness at the Loss of your Company, while I ought to
have rejoiced in the Thoughts of your being so well entertained? I know you
must; and then consider what I must have felt, while I knew I was daily
lessening myself in your Esteem, and forced into a Conduct, which I was sensible
must appear to you, who was ignorant of my Motive, to be mean, vulgar, and
