Formerly I was pleasing and affable, desirous and desired of good society, but never lived till now an _Anchorite_ on earth. Neither did I ever till now tie up mine eyes to one particular face, giving them free liberty to wander. But now at last I fell from my primitive liberty, losing it totally, by dotage on a Creature, and that a Woman too: a just judgement on me for my manifold sins, to throw this thing in my way for me to stumble at. And it will appear in its due place that she was a _bow’d token_ of my _Maker’s_ displeasure sent me, for she was Crooked. CHAP. XXI. _How he was married, and what kind of thing his Wife._ I made strict enquiry after the condition of my intended Wifes Parents, and found by report they were very wealthy. In a short time we had conference together about the Portion, and my Estate, and therein we were all satisfied. My Courtship was very Noble, yet not Prodigal, for fear of giving offence; and in a little while we were married. By her looks I thought her so modest, that an unchaste thought durst not enter into her head, since all immodest expressions she banished from her ears. The first night I thought to have had the first _taste_, but my experience told me the _Tarriers_ had been there before. This struck me into an amazement, that there should appear such Virgin-whiteness, and the extract of innocence in her face, yet be guilty of a crime so notorious. Much perplext I was, but durst not vent my self, what was more than bare suspition. In one half years time what I intended to conceal could be hid no longer, being brought to bed three months before her time; and yet the Bawd her Midwife would make me believe this was usual; and that Children brought forth at six months might live.