William now returned, and after locking the door for fear, as he said, of accident, proceeded to uncommode himself of every atom that might impede the fullness of his joys. In short, he stood like a naked gladiator, furnished with such weapons as were sufficient to terrify even the sister or the wife of Caesar.

Thus prepared for action, he next proceeded to throw off all the bedclothes, and then assuming the seat of bliss gave such wonderful proofs of manhood, as began already to plead in some degree for female infirmity.

Poor Ayrtoun could now no longer resist a strong temptation to behold the combat, and, therefore, raising himself up at the bottom of the bedstead, took a full view of what was passing, heard all the "sighings" and "oh's!" the "dyings" and "ah's!" and in short, was witness to such a scene as gave him but a melancholy picture of his own claims upon womanhood.

It may appear a little extraordinary, but certain it is, that, having attended the finale of this rencontre, our mortified husband shrunk into his shell once more, and remained there until his powerful and puissant rival retired from his panting matron, and until she arose and left the apartment; when watching a proper opportunity he again stole from the house, and in the afternoon returned agreeable to promise.

To most men this systematic forbearance will seem improbable, yet, certain it is, that Ayrtoun went through the whole probation with the fortitude described, and actually dined and drank wine with his wife before he disclosed his discovery, which, however, he at length did in such a complete manner as to leave her no room of doubting her detection.

Upon being thus discovered and upbraided, instead of whining and begging forgiveness, our little heroine, with a degree of candour not usually met with in the sex, honestly confessed her frailty, which she avowed was irresistible.