with his grave Epistle, full of musty Morals, to the two
young gay Ladies. But he had an unlucky Thought, that he was overseen in
giving his Son the Opportunity of retiring from him, whilst he was
writing to his Daughter and t'other fair Creature, having a Jealousy
that young _Hardyman_ might have made Use of that very Article of Time
to the same End. This made him very uneasy and restless. On t'other
Side, the young Gentleman though he was extreamly satisfy'd with those
endearing Expressions of Love which he found in _Diana's_ Letter, yet he
was all on Fire with the Apprehension of a Rival, and the Desire to see
him, that he might dispute with him for the glorious Prize.

The next Day, at Four in the Afternoon, they went to Bowls about a Mile
off; where, after several Ends, the Knight and his Party lay all nearest
about the Jack for the Game, 'till young _Hardyman_ put in a bold Cast,
that beat all his Adversaries from the Block, and carry'd two of his
Seconds close to it, his own Bowl lying partly upon it, which made them
up. Ha! (cry'd a young Gentleman of his Side) bravely done, _Miles_,
thou hast carry'd the Day, and kiss'd the Mistress. I hope I shall
before 'tis dark yet, (return'd he.) Sir _Henry_ overhearing him, said,
(his Face all glowing red with Passion) How dare you, Sir, express your
self so freely in my Hearing? There, (persu'd he, and struck him a Blow
on the Ear) I first salute you thus: Do you know where you are, and who
I am? Yes, you are my Father, Sir, (reply'd young _Hardyman_, bowing.)
If you see her to Night, (said the passionate Father) resolve to see me
no more. By Heaven, and all my Hopes, no more I will, after this Minute,
(return'd the Son, being retreated some Distance from him, out of his
Hearing.) So taking his Leave of the Company, with the usual Ceremony,
he went directly Home, where immediately he order'd his Servant
_Goodlad_ to saddle their Horses, whilst he himself went up to his
Chamber, and took all the Rings and Jewels that his Mother had left him,
and the Money that he had then in his Possession, which altogether
amounted to near twelve hundred Pounds; and packing up some Linnen in
his Portmanteau, he quickly mounted with his Servant, and made his Way
towards the Lady _Constance's_.

'Twas near seven a Clock e'er they got within Sight of his Mistress's,
when our Lover perceiv'd a Gentleman and his Servant mounted at some
Distance on t'other Side of the House, as coming from _Lo