she thus began to tell him her Design.

My Dear,

_I doubt not but you are well satisfied that I have all along took care in
all my Actions still to approve my self _(what you shall ever find me) a
chaste and vertuous Wife_, and tho' I am not sensible I ever gave
encouragement to any lustful Eyes to cast a wanton Glance at me yet so it
is, I have been solicited to commit Folly both against Heaven and you, with
that young Gentleman to whom you lent the 50 Guineas on the Diamond Ring; &
tho' I have as oft deny'd his Suit as he has made it, yet he continues his
Solicitations still; and has been so importunate of late that I could
scarce be ever quiet for him: And therefore being with me Yesterday, &
urging me for my Consent to his unlawful Amours, I did appoint him to come
to me this Night; having before receiv'd your Letter, by which I knew you
wou'd be then at home. The lustful Fool is extream Confident that I will
yield to his Desires; & since he wants no Money I thought it best to seem
to yield to him, that having caught him your Trap, you may deal with him as
you please. And there's another thing that I have to acquaint you with, and
that is, that he's as _Covetous_ as he is _Leacherous_, and did but
Yesterday solicit me to let him have his Ring: And tho' (to put him off) I
told him 'twas lock'd up in a Cabinet of which you had the Key: yet he
reply'd that he cou'd bring a _Picklock_ with him that cou'd open it. So
that I am afraid he does design as well to rob you of your Treasure as your
Honour. But ere to morrow Morning, I hope you'll have it in your power to
make him pay for his Attempting either. At least I have contributed what I
can towards it, and leave the rest to you._

The poor _Contented Goldsmith_, (who thought his Wife far Chaster than
_Diana_ of her _Nymphs_; and that the Wife of _Collatine_ wa'nt worthy to