am" (for he had not used
the words "my lady" at any time after my daughter's coming to our
house), said he, "I think I have provided for your daughter." "As how,
my lord, pray will you let me know?" said I. "Yes," replied he, "as I
have reason to think you will be sorry to hear of her welfare in any
shape, I will tell you. A gentleman who is going factor for the Dutch
East India Company, on the coast of Malabar, I have recommended her to;
and he, on my character and promise of a good fortune, will marry her
very soon, for the Company's ships sail in about twelve days; so, in a
fortnight, like a great many mothers as there are nowadays, you may
rejoice at having got rid of one of your children, though you neither
know where, how, or to whom."

Although I was very glad my lord spoke to me at all, and more especially
so at my daughter's going to be married, and settling in the Indies, yet
his words left so sharp a sting behind them as was exceeding troublesome
to me to wear off. I did not dare venture to make any further inquiries,
but was very glad of what I heard, and soon bidding my lord goodnight,
went and found Amy, who was reading a play in the chamber.

I waited with the greatest impatience for this marriage; and when I
found the day was fixed, I made bold to ask my lord if I should not be
present in his chamber when the ceremony was performed. This favor was
also denied me. I then asked my lord's chaplain to speak to him on that
head, but he was deaf to his importunities, and bade him tell me that I
very well knew his mind. The wedding was performed on a Wednesday
evening, in my lord's presence, and he permitted nobody to be there but
a sister of the bridegroom's, and Thomas (now my lord's secretary or
chief clerk), who was brother to the bride, and who gave her away. They
all supped together after the ceremony was over in the great
dining-room, where the fortune was paid, which was L2000 (as I heard
from Thomas afterwards), and the bonds for the performance of the
marriage were redelivered.

Next morning my lord asked me if I was willing to see my daughter before
she sailed to the Indies. "My lord," said I, "as the seeing of her was
the occasion of this great breach that has happened between us, so if
your lordship will let me have a sight of her and a reconciliation with
you at the same time, there is nothing can be more desirable to me, or
would more contribute to my happiness during the rest of my life."

"