The English, Jack, do not often out-wit the French.

’We had contrivances afterwards equally ingenious, in which the lady, the ice once broken [once subdued, always subdued] co-operated.  But a more tender tell-tale revealed the secret—­revealed it, before the marquise could cover the disgrace.  The sister was inveterate; the husband irreconcilable; in every respect unfit for a husband, even for a French one—­made, perhaps, more delicate to these particulars by the customs of a people among whom he was then resident, so contrary to those of his own countrymen.  She was obliged to throw herself into my protection—­nor thought herself unhappy in it, till childbed pangs seized her:  then penitence, and death, overtook her the same hour!’

Excuse a tear, Belford!—­She deserved a better fate!  What hath such a vile inexorable husband to answer for!—­The sister was punished effectually—­that pleases me on reflection—­the sister effectually punished!—­But perhaps I have told thee this story before.

END OF VOL.4