From Mr. B. In Answer to the preceding.

Dear Sir Simon,

You cannot but believe, that I was much surprised at your Letter, complaining of the Behaviour of my Wife. I could no more have expected such a Complaint from such a Gentleman, than I could, that she would have deserved it: And I am very sorry on both Accounts. I have talked to her in such a Manner, that, I dare say, she will never give you like Cause to appeal to me.

It happened, that the Criminal herself received your Letter from her Servant, and brought it to me in my Closet, and, making her Honours, (for I can't say but she is very obliging to me, tho’ she takes such saucy Freedoms with my Friends) away she tripp’d; and I, inquiring for her, when, with Surprize, as you may believe, I had read your Charge, found she was gone to visit a poor sick Neighbour, of which indeed she had before appris’d me, because she took the Chariot; but I had forgot it in my Wrath.

’Twas well for her, that she was not in the Way; perhaps I should have taken more severe Methods with her in my first Emotions; and I long’d for her Return: And there is another Well-for-her too in her Case; for one would be loth to spoil a Son and Heir, you know, Sir Simon, before we see whether the little Varlet may deserve one's Consideration.

I mention these Things, that you may observe, it was not owing to any Regard for the Offender herself, that I did not punish her as much as injur’d Friendship requir’d at my Hands.

At last, in she came, with that sweet Composure in her Face which results from a Consciousness of doing generally just and generous Things; altho’ in this Instance she has so egregiously err’d, that it behoves me (as well in Justice to my Friend, as Policy to myself; for who knows whither first Faults may lead, if not checked in time?) to nip such Boldness in the Bud. And indeed the Moment I beheld the Charmer of my Heart, (for I do love her too well, that's certain) all my Anger was disarm’d; and had the Offence regarded myself, I must have forgiven her, in spite of all my meditated Wrath.