e he should not love her, she was so
prodigiously charming both in her inward and outward Excellencies;
especially since he had the Opportunity of conversing with her at his
Father's for above a Month. 'Tis true, he had seen her before, but it
was then five Years since. Love her he did then, and that most
passionately; nor was she insensible or ungrateful. But our young Lovers
had not Discretion enough to conceal the Symptoms of their Passion,
which too visibly and frequently sally'd out at their Eyes before the
old Gentleman; which made him prudently, as he thought, and timely
enough, offer his Daughter _Lucretia_ the Liberty of taking a small
Journey with _Diana_ to her House, which was not above 20 Miles thence,
where that young Lady's Aunt govern'd in her Absence; for _Diana_ had no
other Relation, so near as she was, living in _England_, her only
Brother _Lewis_ having been in _Italy_ and _France_ ever since her
Father dy'd, which was then near five Years past.

_Lucretia_, over-joy'd at her Father's pretended Kindness, propos'd it
to the young Lady, her Friend, who was very fond of the Proposal, hoping
that _Lucretia's_ Brother might bear 'em Company there for some little
Time; but old Sir _Henry_ had quite different Thoughts of the Matter.
The third Day, from the first Discourse of it, was assign'd for their
Departure. In the mean Time young _Hardyman_ knew not what to think of
the Divorce he was going to suffer; for he began to have some
Apprehensions that the old Knight was sensible, and displeas'd, that
they lov'd each other: Not but that the Family of the _Constances_ was
as ancient and honourable as that of _Hardymans_, and was once endow'd
with as plentiful an Estate, tho' now young _Lewis Constance_ had not
above 1200_l._ a Year. (O the unkind Distance that Money makes, even
between Friends!)

Old 'Squire _Constance_ was a very worthy Gentleman, and Sir _Henry_ had
a particular Friendship for him; but (perhaps) that dy'd with him, and
only a neighbourly Kindness, or something more than an ordinary Respect,
surviv'd to his Posterity. The Day came that was to carry 'em to the
young Lady _Constance's_, and her Lover was preparing to attend 'em,
when the old Gentleman ask'd him, What he meant by that Preparation? And
whether he design'd to leave him alone? Or if he could think 'twere
dutifully or decently done? To which the Son reply'd, That his Care of
his Sister, and his Respect to a young Lady, in a Manner