She, knowing the nature of his
sickness as well as he did himself, asked him whether she should play
in his stead, and he consented, saying that he would very soon return.
However, she assured him that she could take his place for a couple of
hours without weariness.
So the gentleman withdrew to his room, and thence by an alley into his
park.
The lady, who knew another and shorter way, waited for a little while,
and then, suddenly feigning to be seized with colic, gave her hand at
play to another.
As soon as she was out of the room, she put off her high-heeled shoes
and ran as quickly as she could to the place, where she had no desire
that the bargain should be struck without her. And so speedily did she
arrive, that, when she entered the room by another door, her husband was
but just come in. Then, hiding herself behind the door, she listened to
the fair and honest discourse that he held to her maid. But when she
saw that he was coming near to the criminal point, she seized him from
behind, saying--
"Nay, I am too near that you should take another."
It is needless to ask whether the gentleman was in extreme wrath, both
at being balked of the delight he had looked to obtain, and at having
his wife, whose affection he now greatly feared to lose for ever, know
more of him than he desired.
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