Page:A Treatise concerning the Use and Abuse of the Marriage Bed.djvu/249

[ 235 ], says the Lady, Sir William did not, but the other Appearance spoke to me, and frighted me to Death: Why, he asked me, to let him come to Bed to me; and, I thought, he offered to open the Bed, which waked me, and I was e'en dead with the Fright.

O, Madam, says the Cousin, then it was but a Dream, it seems; it was not the Devil.

, it was a Dream; but it was the Devil, to be sure, says the Lady, for all that.

, but Madam, says the Cousin, if it was the Devil, what will a Husband signify?

, says the Lady, I can't bear to be alone in the Night, and be thus terrified.

, Madam, says the Cousin, will a Husband, and such a one as you propose, be able to drive the Devil away? I suppose your Woman lies with you; she is as able as he for such-a Thing; that is to say, she will be with you, and call for help, if need be; and he can do no more.

I do not know what to do, Cousin, not I, says the Lady, but, I think, I must have him; my Mind is so distracted I shall never be easy.

, Madam, says the Cousin, then 'tis that makes you Dream so, it may be.

, no, Cousin, says the Lady, don't have such Thoughts on me, pray.

the whole, her Cousin found what Devil it was haunted her Ladyship; so she confessed, at last, that the Lady had good Reasons for marrying; but then she argued warmly against her taking the young Fellow; and after reckoning up a great many Gentlemen in the Neighbourhood, she press'd her earnestly not to marry below her self.