Page:A Treatise concerning the Use and Abuse of the Marriage Bed.djvu/161

 Cou. Nay, then you made mad Work with your self indeed; I am sure I directed you just the contrary. But to tell you the Truth, if you took nothing but my Directions, it was a very innocent thing; it would have done you neither good nor harm.

Lady. Ay, but it purged and vomited my Life away almost, and threw me into a violent Fever.

Cou. Why, you were certainly with Child then, and the fright put you into that Condition.

Lady. I believe it did; for I had no sooner swallowed it down, but I was in the greatest Agony imaginable, at the Thoughts of what I had done; I was struck as if an Arrow had been shot thro' me; I was all horror and disorder, Soul and Body,

Cou. Ay, you frighted your self Sick: I am sure what I gave you Directions to take would have done you no hurt, if you had been with Child.

Lady. Are you sure of it?

Cou. Don't you remember how earnestly I persuaded you against the Thing it self.

Lady. Yes, very well.

Cou. And how I argued with you, that it was as much Murther as if the Child had been grown to its maturity in your Womb.

Lady. Yes, yes, I remember it particularly.

Cou. Well, Cousin; And do you think then I would have given you a Dose to kill the Child