all the county see the sheriff also was become a slave to the
fine widow. During the time her cause was upon trial, she
behaved herself, I warrant you, with such a deep attention to her
business, took opportunities to have little billets handed to her
counsel, then would be in such a pretty confusion, occasioned,
you must know, by acting before so much company, that not only I
but the whole court was prejudiced in her favour; and all that
the next heir to her husband had to urge, was thought so
groundless and frivolous, that when it came to her counsel to
reply, there was not half so much said as every one besides in
the court thought he could have urged to her advantage. You must
understand, Sir, this perverse woman is one of those
unaccountable creatures, that secretly rejoice in the admiration
of men, but indulge themselves in no further consequences. Hence
it is that she has ever had a train of admirers, and she removes
from her slaves in town to those in the country, according to the
seasons of the year. She is a reading lady, and far gone in the
pleasures of friendship. She is always accompanied by a
confident, who is witness to her daily protestations against our
sex, and consequently a bar to her first steps towards love, upon
the strength of her own maxims and declarations.

"However, I must needs say this accomplished mistress of mine has
distinguished me above the rest, and has been known to declare
Sir Roger de Coverley was the tamest and most humane of all the
brutes in the country. I was told she said so, by one who
thought he rallied me; but upon the strength of this slender
encouragement of being thought least detestable, I made new
liveries, new-pair'd my coach horses, sent them all to town to be
bitted and taught to throw their legs well, and move all