the Presence of your Soul to
me in the Absence of your Body! A Fourth, how fill'd with just
Complaints of a rigorous Father! What Assurances does the Fifth
give me of your speedy Journey hither! And the Sixth, (for no less
methought I should have receiv'd from you) confirms what you last
said to me, +That you will ever be mine, and none but mine.
--O boundless Blessing!+ --These (my Life) are the Dreams, which,
for six several Nights, have mock'd the real Passion of_

_Your forgotten +Diana+._

He read it, smil'd, and kiss'd it, and then proceeded to examine his
Sisters, which held a great many Expressions of a tender Affection, and
withal gave him Notice, that there was a mighty Spark lately come from
Town into those Parts, that made his Court to the young Lady
_Constance_; desiring him therefore to be as sudden in his Visit, if he
intended any, as Possibility would permit. This startled and stung him:
Wherefore, taking the Opportunity of his Father's Retirement, to write
to the young Lady and his Sister; he dispatch'd a Letter to _Lucretia_,
wherein he thank'd her for her Intelligence and Caution, and promis'd to
be with her the next Night at farthest, if alive; and, at the same Time,
writ to this Purpose to _Diana_:

Thou only Blessing for which I wish to live,

_How delightfully do you punish my seeming Neglect! I acknowledge I
have not sent to you 'till now, but it was because it was utterly
impossible, my Father continually keeping so strict a Guard over me
himself, that not even +Mercury+ could evade or illude his
Vigilance. Alas! my Soul, he is now no Stranger to my Passion for
you, which he pretends, at least, is highly offensive to him, for
what Reasons I blush to think. But what signifies an Offence to him
of so generous a Nature as my Love! I am assured I was born for you,
or none other of your fair Sex, though attended with all the
Advantages of Birth and Fortune. I will therefore proceed in this
Affair, as if we were already united by the outward Ceremonies of
the Church, and forsake him and all the World for you, my better
Part! Be certain, therefore, that to-Morrow Night, e'er you sleep,
you shall see (my Life, my Soul, my All)_

Your most sincere, and
Most passionate Lover,
_Hardyman_.

This, with the Letter to his Sister, he convey'd into the Servant's Hand
that came from 'em, undiscover'd of his Father; who likewise dismiss'd
the Messenger