I know not when I had so desired to see his Face, and to breathe the same Air with Mistress Anne. I hastened to Philpot Lane, and the first Sound I heard on entering the House, was of a Lute, rarely touched. I stood at Pause and listened with Rapture. I thought, Oh, what heaven-like Sounds! how sweet an Air! how greatly hath she improved! when, of a sudden, the Prelude, for 'twas no more, was succeeded by a lovesick Ballad, sung by a Man's mellow Voice! Oh, my Heart seemed to leap to my Lips, so great was the Revulsion. I staggered as though I were shrew-struck; and leaning against the Wall, tried to deafen my Ears to the hateful Sound. How all the sweet Chords seemed jangled! Who was the Singer? and what was his Footing here?

While I put to myself these bootless Questions, the Door at the Stair-head opened, Voices spake Farewell, some one came forth, a light Foot ran down the Stair, and, or ever I was aware, or could move off, a very young Man, habited in russet Damask and blue embroidered Satin, handsome and of lordly Bearing, nearly ran over me. Looking forth of the House-door, he turned about again and said to me abruptly, "Canst tell me where are my People?"

I made Answer, "I know not your People's Liveries, my Lord," (for I felt assured he was a Nobleman,) "but I saw a Party of Men in watchet Coats, with a spotted Dog on their Badges, at the Lane-end."

"All right," quod he, and proffered me a Piece of Money with a good-natured Air; but I drew back, on which he looked surprised, gave me a second Look, slightly bent his Head, and went forth.

J J

"Proferred me a Piece of Money"

I saw he had offered me a Gift, mistaking my Degree; but what I could not help chiefly noting was, the exceeding smallness of the Coin. I marvelled so fine a young Gentleman could proffer so mean a Gift. "Ah," thought I, "'tis the City Wealth brings these Gallants so far east. A Bag of Gold would be as welcome to them tied round the Neck of Damaris as of sweet Mistress Anne. 'Tis for their own Ends they hawk low, like a Swift for a Dragonfly."

Then I leaned against the Wall for a Moment, and said within myself, "O God, I have Everything that is dear to me at Stake. However my Patience may be tried, yet make me patient, I beseech thee: I know it is the Thing of all others in which I am most to seek; yet let me, as at this Time, struggle with myself not in vain, O Lord."

Then I ran nimbly up-stairs, into the pleasant Summer-chamber the young Lord had just left. Therein found I Mistress Anne, hanging in a thoughtful Posture, over a Posy of rare Flowers on the Table. Starting when she saw me, she said, "Oh, Osborne, is it you?" and blushed.