 and in my Passion, I
believe, said she might be ashamed to think of marrying a Man old enough to be
her Grandfather: For so in Reality he almost was.
    The Lady on this Occasion acted finely the Part of a Hypocrite. She affected
to be highly affronted at my unjust Suspicions, as she called them, and
proceeded to such Asseverations of her Innocence, that she almost brought me to
discredit the Evidence of my own Eyes and Ears.
    My Father, however, acted much more honestly: For he fell the next Day into
a more violent Passion with me than I had ever seen him in before, and asked me,
whether I intended to return his paternal Fondness by assuming the Right of
controlling his Inclinations? with more of the like Kind, which fully convinced
me what had passed between him and the Lady, and how little I had injured her in
my Suspicions.
    Hitherto I frankly own my Aversion to this Match had been principally on my
own Account: For I had no ill Opinion of the Woman, tho' I thought neither her
Circumstances nor my Father's Age promised any Kind of Felicity from such an
Union; but now I learnt some Particulars, which, had not our Quarrel become
public in the Parish, I should perhaps have never known. In short, I was
informed, that this gentle obliging Creature, as she had at first appeared to
me, had the Spirit of a Tigress, and was by many believed to have broken the
Heart of her first Husband.
    The Truth of this Matter being confirmed to me upon Examination, I resolved
not to suppress it. On this Occasion Fortune seemed to favour me, by giving me a
speedy Opportunity of seeing my Father alone and in good Humour. He now first
began to open his intended Marriage, telling me that he had formerly had some
religious Objections to Bigamy, but he had very fully considered the Matter, and
had satisfied himself of its Legality. He then faithfully promised me, that no
second Marriage should in the least impair his Affection for me; and concluded
with the highest Elogiums on the Goodness of the Widow, protesting that it was
her Virtues and not her Person with which he was enamoured.
    I now fell upon my Knees before him, and bathing his Hand in my Tears, which
flowed very plentifully from my Eyes, acquainted him with all I had heard; and
was so very imprudent, I might almost say so cruel, to disclose the Author of my
Information.
    My Father heard me without any Indication of Passion; and answered coldly,
that if there was any Proof of
