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 compare to her) was hugely pleas’d with his Wife’s Policy; and therefore order’d her to go home first alone, whilst he came after her Incognito; and when her Gallant came, he bid her hasten him to bed; and whilst she stood before him, that the Maid shou’d take away his Sword, and then he thought he might the better deal with a Naked Man:  All which she promis’d him shou’d be obey’d.

At Night the poor deluded Cully comes to the Goldsmith’s, according to appointment; and was conducted presently up Stairs; where, he might the less suspect foul Play, he finds a good Collation was proyided, which he and his false Mistress feasted at, she urging him to make haste into Bed, that there they might have more delicious Dainties, and she beginning to undress her self, he made most haste and first got into Bed; and then the Maid (as she was before directed) having privately carry’d off the Sword, comes running in upon a sudden, and cries out, O Mistress, we are all undone!  My Master’s coming up Stairs.  Up gets the Quaking Beau immediately, and runs under the Bed, which he had but just done, before the Goldsmith enter’d:  Who seeing of his Wife, Accosts her thus, My Dear I’m come a Day sooner than I expected,—­You’re very Welcome, Love, said she again, looking as one surpriz’d, at which, cries he, Why how now?  What’s the matter with you? And then looking about the Chamber, he sees a very Beauish Powder’d Wig; Ah ha! says he; What have we here?  A Wig, new Powder’d!  Pray whose Wig is this?  I’m sure ’tis none of mine; then looking on the Bed, he sees a pair of Breeches lie, Hey dey! Cries he, Pray whose are these? They’re yours, said she, for ought I know, (speaking a little surlily) whose shou’d they be, d’ye think? They’re none of mine, says he, I’m sure; But let me see, what is there in ’em?—­Then searching of the Pockets, he pulls out a Gold Watch, about Nine or Ten Guineas, a Silver Snush-Box, and several Pick-Locks:  As soon as he perceiv’d the Pick-Locks, So, so, cries he, here’s a fine Trade indeed!  Cou’d you get none to serve you, but some Newgate-Stallion; One that us’d to Break up Houses, and Pick open Locks!  Where is this Villain, says he, that Wrongs my Bed, and thus dishonours me, that I may run my Sword into his Heart, and send him of an Errand to the Devil?