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In return, after he found her obstinate, he put all the Contempt upon her he was able, and in all Company where he could possibly come at her; made Ballads and Songs of her; and, in a word, they took all possible Ways on both Sides to make it impossible they should ever come together again.
After some Time, he went abroad into France, when he did the spitefullest Thing that it was possible for him to do, or that, I think, a Man could ever do by a Wife: Being, (as he had given out) at Paris, he caus'd a Rumour to be rais'd that he was very Sick, and a little after that he was Dead. This he carried so far, that his Servants and Dependents, who he left at his House, were all put into Mourning, and the Lady was firmly convinced that he was Dead; nay, he employed a subtle, managing Fellow, to come to the House where the Lady lodged, to give an Account of his Death, and that he was at the Funeral.
In a word, Things were carried so far, that the Lady was courted by another Gentleman, and, at length, consented to be married; but all things being prepared for the Wedding; Settlements made, the very Day come, and her Friends about her, he sends a Messenger to tell her, that he was coming to the Church to see her married, that he would have remained in his Grave a little longer, but that he was resolved she should not have's much Pleasure as that of one Day's Delusion; and that he would not do the Gentleman the Injury, of letting him ignorantly marry a She-Devil, as he had done.
This was managed so wickedly, and with such a keenness and severity of Spight, that italmost
