its to you have been entirely on her account:--now, be as
sincere with me, and let me know, whether the offers I made her will
be approved.'

The yeoman was a little dashed on Natura's speaking in this manner,
and was some moments before he could recollect himself sufficiently to
make any reply; and, when at last he had, all he could bring out was,
'Sir, my girl is honest, and I hope will always continue so.'

'I am far from doubting her virtue in the least,' answered Natura
hastily, 'but I think I cannot give a greater testimony of the good
opinion I have of her, than by offering to make her my wife.'--'Ah,
sir,' cried the yeoman, interrupting him, 'you must excuse me, if I
cannot flatter myself you have any thoughts of doing us that
honour.--I am a mean man, of no parentage, and it is well known have
brought up a large family by the sweat of my brow.'--'Laetitia is a
poor country maid;--it is true, the girl is well enough, but has
nothing,--nothing at all, alas! in her to balance for that vast
disparity of birth and fortune between you.'

'Talk no more of that,' said Natura, taking him by the hand, 'such as
she is, I like her; and I once more assure you, that I never had any
dishonourable intentions on her, but am ready to prove the contrary,
by marrying her, as soon as she approves of me, and you agree to it.'

The old man looked very earnestly on him all the while he was
speaking, and knew not well whether he ought to give credit to what he
said, or not,--Natura, perceiving his diffidence, continued, by
sparing neither arguments, nor the most solemn imprecations, to remove
it, till he was at last assured of a good fortune, which, as he said,
he had thought too extraordinary to happen in his family. He then told
Natura he would acquaint his daughter with the happiness he intended
for her, and dispose her to receive it with that respect and gratitude
that became her. On which Natura took his leave till the next day,
when he found Laetitia did not make any excuse to avoid his presence,
as she had lately done.--He addressed himself to her not in the same
manner he would have done to a woman of condition, but yet in very
tender and affectionate terms:--her behaviour to him was humble,
modest, and obliging; and though she was not mistress of the politest
expressions, yet what she said discovered she wanted not a fund of
good sense and understanding, which, if cultivated by education, would
have appeared very bright. H