desire, made earnest suit to have her company the remaining part of
the summer, which was granted, upon a promise of her return at
Michaelmas."

Milton was too busy to much miss his wife; he pursued his studies,
and now and then visited the Lady Margaret Leigh, whom he has
mentioned in one of his sonnets. At last Michaelmas arrived; but
the lady had no inclination to return to the sullen gloom of her
husband's habitation, and therefore very willingly forgot her
promise. He sent her a letter, but had no answer; he sent more with
the same success. It could be alleged that letters miscarry; he
therefore despatched a messenger, being by this time too angry to go
himself. His messenger was sent back with some contempt. The
family of the lady were Cavaliers.

In a man whose opinion of his own merit was like Milton's, less
provocation than this might have raised violent resentment. Milton
soon determined to repudiate her for disobedience; and, being one of
those who could easily find arguments to justify inclination,
published (in 1644) "The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce," which
was followed by the "Judgment of Martin Bucer concerning Divorce,"
and the next year his "Tetrachordon, Expositions upon the four chief
Places of Scripture which treat of Marriage."

This innovation was opposed, as might be expected, by the clergy,
who, then holding their famous assembly at Westminster, procured
that the author should be called before the Lords; "but that house,"
says Wood, "whether approving the doctrine, or not favouring his
accusers, did soon dismiss him."