enough, and very Rich; I believe he loves you, and in fine, I think you may be as happy with him as with any Man; therefore, don't be obstinately bent against your own good. He came in at the same time, and seconded this command of my Mothers with Intreaties and Complaints. I had no Aversion for him, and since my Circumstances wou'd oblige me to Marry, and that I knew I could never love any Man; I thought it might as well be he as any other; so in sometime after I yielded, and the Wedding-day was appointed to be the Sixteenth of _May_ last. How do you think 'tis possible to avoid it now; but many things happen betwixt the Cup and the Lip. You are to know that _Orontes_'s Estate lay near a fine Seat of _Cloridon_'s, which he often retir'd to; so that they were acquainted, and much together; and that _Orontes_ went to his Country House to make some Preparations a Week before the designed Marriage. _Cloridon_ told him he was extreamly pleas'd to see him there; for they had made a match for Hunting five or six days after with some Friends of his, that were wishing for him. I must beg your Pardon my Lord, _says he_, that I cannot stay so long; for I have business that will call me to _London_ sooner. If it be not of great importance, _return'd he_, pray let me prevail with you to stay. 'Tis not to be deferr'd my Lord, I am to be Marry'd. Marry'd, cry'd my Lord, prithee what Madness possesses thee, so lately freed, to bind thy self again without any necessity for it? What Bait next, not another old Rich crabbed Widow, I hope? I have made a better Choice now, _answer'd Orontes_: She has Youth and Goodness I'm sure; and I have Money enough for us both. You are in the Right, _Reply'd Cloridon_; but may I know her Name. You knew her Father my Lord, _says he_, and then Sir _Martin Marrall_ told him whose Daughter I was. And are you engag'd to her, _Cloridon_ ask'd? She has promis'd to marry me the 16th of this Month, _said Orontes_, and therefore my Lord, I hope you wont take it ill if I leave you upon so weighty an Affair. _Cloridon_ was not in humour of making many Compliments; but he ask'd abundance of Questions, of the beginning and progress of his Love, and how I had us'd him all the time; but he could not much boast of my Favour, which pleas'd _Cloridon_, and encourag'd him to endeavour to break off the Match. He told _Orontes_ he should be oblig'd to go to _London_ that day, but he would come back again before he went away; so he left him, and immediately took his Journey; and as soon as he arriv'd, came to our Lodgings, where he found my Mother and I together. Judge of my surprize at this Sight, my first Thoughts were of _Orontes_; I sigh'd when I compar'd 'em with one another, and had a thousand different thoughts which I know not what to make of. _Cloridon_ Addressing himself to my Mother, _said_, Madam, I am come to beg a Favour of you, which I should hardly have the Confidence to ask, if the whole satisfaction of my life did not depend upon it.