Page:Celebrated Trials - Volume 1.djvu/488

had either capitulated or surrendered herself. Among the rest was a certain lawyer, who was so frequent in his importunities, that she was quite tired out. However, she was so discreet all the while, as to conceal from her husband Sawney the importunities of her several lovers; but their solicitations increasing, and being determined to be delivered of them as soon as possible, she, one night, as she lay in bed with her husband, began to discourse with him to the following effect:—

"You are sensible, my dear, of the inviolable love I have, from the first day of our marriage, preserved for you, which shall still, let whatever will happen, be as chastely maintained. As a proof of what I tell you, I have been strongly importuned by Mr. Hamilton the lawyer, to consent to his embraces, but still I have warded off from his addresses, though I cannot be free from him; which makes me now desirous to hear your opinion in the matter, and see which will be the safest and best expedient to be delivered of his company."

Here she ended, and Sawney, being thoroughly convinced of his wife's loyalty and fidelity, first answered her with a desire she should forget all his irregularities, confessing their present poverty had been the immediate consequence of his too liberal and profuse living; but that, for the future, she should see a good alteration in his conduct, and he would make one of the best of husbands.

"As for Mr. Hamilton," said he, "it is my advice that you do not give him an absolute refusal; but, pretending a kind of love at a distance, make him think that a considerable sum of money will finish his expectations, and gain him what he so much longs for; you have youth and beauty on your side, and you may, consequently, command him as you please; for I am not so much a stranger to Mr. Hamilton's temper, and inclination, but that I know love will influence him to perform generous things: my dear, I have no occasion to acquaint you with our poverty at this time, but our wants and necessities may be amply made up by dexterously managing this adventure, the prosecution of which I leave to your own prudence and conduct; and, for my part, I shall take effectual care to extricate you and myself out of any consequence that may happen upon it.

Mrs. Cunningham, after this conference with her husband, had a thousand thoughts in her head, how to manage this scheme, so as to make the most advantage of it: she saw that the want of money in her family