116
A modest Gentlewoman being compelled to accuse her Husband of defect, and being in the Court, she humbly desir’d the Judge, that she might write what she durst not speak for Modesty; the Judge gave her that liberty, and a Clerk was presently commanded to give her Pen, Ink, and Paper; Whereupon she took the Pen without dipping it into the Ink, and made as if she would write. Says the Clark to her, Madam, there is no Ink in your Pen, Truly, Sir, says she, that’s just my Case, and therefore I need not explain my self any further.
116
Une Demoiselle modeste ètant forcée d’accuser son Mari d’impuissance, & ètant à l’audience, elle pria tres humblement le Juge de lui permettre d’écrire ce qu’elle n’osoit dire, par Modestie; le Juge lui accorda cette liberté, & commanda d’abord àu Greffier de lui donner une Plume, de l’Encre & du Papier; Elle prit la plume, sans y mettre de l’Encre, & fit semblant d’écrire; Le Greffier luit dit, Madame, Il n’y a point d’Encre à votre plume: Urayment, Monsieur, dit elle, c’est là justement mon cas, & ainsi il n’est pas nécessaire que je m’explique d’avantage.