[423] From his wife William had no opposition to apprehend.

Her understanding had been completely subjugated by his; and, what is more extraordinary, he had won her entire affection.

He was to her in the place of the parents whom she had lost by death and by estrangement, of the children who had been denied to her prayers, and of the country from which she was banished.

His empire over her heart was divided only with her God.
To her father she had probably never been attached: she had quitted him young: many years had elapsed since she had seen him; and no part of his conduct to her, since her marriage, had indicated tenderness on his part, or had been calculated to call forth tenderness on hers.

He had done all in his power to disturb her domestic happiness, and had established a system of spying, eavesdropping, and talebearing under her roof.