ct? She answer'd, 'That the Thoughts of her going now suddenly
to live from so dear and tender a Father and Mother, were the sole
Occasion of such Expressions of Grief.' This affectionate Reply did
amply satisfy their Doubts; and she presently took Leave of 'em, after
having desir'd that they would not be uneasy if she should not return
'till a little before 'twas dark, or if her Cousin should oblige her to
stay all Night with her; which they took for a discreet Caution in her,
considering that young Maidens love dearly to talk of Marriage Affairs,
especially when so near at Hand: And thus easily parted with her, when
they had walk'd with her about a Mile, over a Field or two of their own.

Never before that Time was the dear Creature glad that her Father and
Mother had left her, unless when they had press'd her to a Marriage with
the old Knight. They were therefore no sooner got out of Sight, e're she
took another Path, that led cross the Country, which she persu'd 'till
past eight at Night, having walk'd ten Miles since two a Clock, when Sir
_Francis_ and her Mother left her: She was just now got to a little
Cottage, the poor, but cleanly Habitation of a Husbandman and his Wife,
who had one only Child, a Daughter, about the Lady _Arabella's_ Age and
Stature. 'Twas happy for her she got thither before they were a Bed; for
her soft and beautiful Limbs began now to be tir'd, and her tender Feet
to be gall'd. To the good Woman of the House she applies her self,
desiring Entertainment for that Night, offering her any reasonable
Satisfaction. The good Wife, at first Sight of her, had Compassion of
her, and immediately bid her walk in, telling her, that she might lye
with her Daughter, if she pleas'd, who was very cleanly, tho' not very
vine. The good Man of the House came in soon after, was very well
pleas'd with his new Guest; so to Supper they went very seasonably; for
the poor young Lady, who was e'en ready to faint with Thirst, and not
overcharg'd with what she had eaten the Day before. After Supper they
ask'd her whence she came, and how she durst venture to travel alone,
and a Foot? To which she reply'd, That she came from a Relation who
liv'd at _Exeter_, with whom she had stay'd 'till she found she was
burthensome: That she was of _Welsh_ Parents, and of a good Family; but
her Father dying, left a cruel Mother-in-Law, with whom she could by no
Means continue, especially since she would have forc'd her to marry an
old