. . . Entering the Dining-room, however, I uttered a Shriek on seeing _Father_ fallen back in his Chair, as though in a Fit, like unto that which terrified us a Year ago; and _Mother_ hearing me call out, ran in, loosed his Collar, and soone broughte him to himselfe, tho' not without much Alarm to alle. He made light of it himselfe, and sayd 'twas merelie a suddain Rush of Blood to the Head, and woulde not be dissuaded from going out; but _Mother_ was playnly smote at the Heart, and having lookt after him with some anxietie, exclaimed, "I shall neither meddle nor make more in this Businesse: your _Father's_ suddain Seizures shall never be layd at my Doore;" and soe left me, till we met at Dinner. After the Cloth was drawne, enters Mr. _Milton_, who goes up to _Mother_, and with Gracefulnesse kisses her Hand; but she withdrewe it pettishly, and tooke up her Sewing, on the which he lookt at her wonderingly, and then at me; then at her agayne, as though he woulde reade her whole Character in her Face; which having seemed to doe, and to write the same in some private Page of his Heart, he never troubled her or himself with further Comment, but tooke up Matters just where he had left them last. Ere we parted we had some private Conference touching our Marriage, for hastening which he had soe much to say that I coulde not long contend with him, especiallie as I founde he had plainlie made out that _Mother_ loved him not. _Wednesday_. House full of Companie, leaving noe Time to write nor think. _Mother_ sayth, tho' she cannot forbode an happie Marriage, she will provide for a merrie Wedding, and hathe growne more than commonlie tender to me, and given me some Trinkets, a Piece of fine _Holland_ Cloth, and enoughe of green Sattin for a Gown, that will stand on End with its owne Richnesse. She hathe me constantlie with her in the Kitchen, Pastrie, and Store-room, telling me 'tis needfulle I shoulde improve in Housewiferie, seeing I shall soe soone have a Home of my owne. But I think _Mother_ knows not, and I am afeard to tell her, that Mr. _Milton_ hath no House of his owne to carry me to, but onlie Lodgings, which have well suited his Bachelor State, but may not, 'tis likelie, beseeme a Lady to live in. He deems so himself, and sayeth we will look out for an hired House together, at our Leisure. Alle this he hath sayd to me in an Undertone, in _Mother's_ Presence, she sewing at the Table and we sitting in the Window; and 'tis difficult to tell how much she hears, she for will aske no Questions, and make noe Comments, onlie compresses her Lips, which makes me think she knows. The Children are in turbulent Spiritts; but _Robin_ hath done nought but mope and make Moan since he learnt he must soe soone lose me. A Thought hath struck me,--Mr. _Milton_ educates his Sister's Sons; two Lads of about _Robin's_ Age. What if he woulde consent to take my Brother under his Charge? perhaps _Father_ woulde be willing. _Saturday_.