How surprised was I to see _Dick_ enter! My Arms were soe fast about his Neck, and my Face prest soe close to his Shoulder, that I did not for a While perceive the grave Looke he had put on. At the last, I was avised to ask what broughte him soe unexpectedlie to _London_; and then he hemmed and looked at _Ralph_, and _Ralph_ looked at _Dick_, and then _Dick_ sayd bluntly, he hoped Mr. _Milton_ woulde spare me to go Home till after _Michaelmasse_, and _Father_ had sent him on Purpose to say soe. Mr. _Milton_ lookt surprised and hurte, and sayd, how could he be expected to part soe soone with me, a Month's Bride? it must be some other Time: he had intended to take me himselfe to _Forest Hill_ the following Spring, but coulde not spare Time now, nor liked me to goe without him, nor thought I should like it myself. But my Eyes said I _shoulde_, and then he gazed earnestlie at me and lookt hurt; and there was a dead Silence. Then _Dick_, hesitating a little, sayd he was sorrie to tell us my _Father_ was ill; on which I clasped my Hands and beganne to weepe; and Mr. _Milton_, changing Countenance, askt sundrie Questions, which _Dick_ answered well enough; and then said he woulde not be soe cruel as to keepe me from a Father I soe dearlie loved, if he were sick, though he liked not my travelling in such unsettled Times with so young a Convoy. _Ralph_ sayd they had brought _Diggory_ with them, who was olde and steddy enough, and had ridden my _Mother's_ Mare for my Use; and _Dick_ was for our getting forward a Stage on our Journey the same Evening, but Mr. _Milton_ insisted on our abiding till the following Morn, and woulde not be overruled. And gave me leave to stay a Month, and gave me Money, and many kind Words, which I coulde mark little, being soe overtaken with Concern about dear _Father_, whose Illness I feared to be worse than _Dick_ sayd, seeing he seemed soe close and dealt in dark Speeches and Parables. After Dinner, they went forth, they sayd, to look after the Horses, but I think to see _London_, and returned not till Supper. We got them Beds in a House hard by, and started at earlie Dawn.