ree, that within a
few Days after, supposing himself secure on her Side, he apply'd himself
to the good old Knight, his Patron, for his Consent to a Marriage with
her, who very readily comply'd with his Demands, esteeming it a very
advantagious Match for _Peregrina_, and withal told him, That he would
give him three hundred Pounds with her, besides the first Benefit that
should fall in his Gift. But (said he) as I doubt not that you are
sufficiently acquainted with her Virtues and other excellent
Qualifications, 'tis necessary that you should know the worst that I can
tell you of her, which is, that she came to us a meer Stranger, in a
very mean, tho' cleanly Habit; and therefore, as she confesseth, we may
conclude, of very humble, yet honest Parentage. A! (possibly) her Father
might have been, or is, some Husbandman, or somewhat inferiour to that;
for we took her up at the Door, begging one Night's Entertainment in the
Barn. How, Sir! (cry'd _Prayfast_, starting) have you no better
Knowledge of her Birth, than what you are pleas'd to discover now? No
better, nor more (reply'd the Knight.) Alas! Sir, then (return'd the
proud canonical Sort of a Farmer) she is no Wife for me; I shall
dishonour my Family by marrying so basely. Were you never told any Thing
of this before? (ask'd the Knight.) You know, Sir, (answer'd the Prelate
that would be) that I have not had the Honour to officiate, as your
Chaplain, much more than half a Year; in which Time, 'tis true, I have
heard that she was receiv'd as a Stranger; but that she came in so low a
Capacity I never learn'd 'till now. I find then, Parson, (said the
Knight) that you do not like the Author of your Happiness, at least, who
might be so, because she comes to you in such an humble Manner; I tell
you the _Jews_ are miserable for the same Reason. She cannot be such
perfectly to me (return'd t'other) without the Advantage of good Birth.
With that I'm sure she would not, return'd his Patron, and left him to
go to _Peregrina_, whom he happily found alone. Child, (said he to her)
have you any Obligation to Mr. _Prayfast_? As how, Sir? She ask'd. Do
you love him? Have you made him any Promise of Marriage? Or has he any
Way engag'd himself to you? Neither, Sir, (she answer'd.) 'Tis true,
I love him as my Fellow-Servant, no otherwise. He has indeed been
somewhat lavish of his Wit and Rhimes to me, which serv'd well enough to
divert my young Lady and me. But of all Mankind, perhaps, he