was
impossible; and so, without much more Ceremony, he took his Leave of
that delightful Company for two or three Days; at the End of which he
return'd, with Thoughts much different from those at his first Coming
thither, being strongly agitated by his Passion for _Peregrina_. He took
and made all the Opportunities and Occasions that Chance and his own
Fancy could offer and present to talk to her, both before, at, and after
Dinner; and his Eyes were so constantly fix'd on her, that he seem'd to
observe nothing else; which was so visible to Sir _Christian_, his Lady,
and Daughter, that they were convinc'd of their Error, in believing,
that he came to make his Court to the young Lady. This late Discovery of
the young Knight's Inclinations, was no Way unpleasant to Sir
_Christian_ and his Lady; and to the young Lady it was most agreeable
and obliging, since her Heart was already pre-engag'd elsewhere; and
since she did equally desire the good fortune of her beautiful Attendant
with her own.

The Table was no sooner clear'd, and a loyal Health or two gone round,
e're Sir _Christian_ ask'd his young amorous Guest to take a Walk with
him in the Gardens: To which Sir _Lucius_ readily consented, designing
to disclose that to him for a Secret, which was but too apparent to all
that were present at Table: When therefore he thought he had
sufficiently admir'd and commended the Neatness of the Walks and Beauty
of the Flowers, he began, to this Effect:

Possibly, Sir _Christian_, I shall surprize you with the Discourse I'm
going to make you; but 'tis certain no Man can avoid the Necessity of
the Fate which he lies under; at least I have now found it so.--I came
at first, Sir, with the Hopes of prevailing on you to honour and make me
happy in a Marriage with Madam _Eleanora_ your Daughter; but at the same
Instant I was seiz'd with so irresistable a Passion for the charming
_Peregrina_, that I find no Empire, Fame, nor Wit, can make me perfectly
bless'd here below, without the Enjoyment of that beautiful Creature. Do
not mistake me, Sir, (I beseech you, continu'd he) I mean an _honourable
Enjoyment_.--I will make her my Wife, Sir, if you will be generously
pleas'd to use your Interest with her on my Part.

To which the good old Knight reply'd, What you think (Sir) you have now
imparted as a Secret, has been the general Observation of all my Family,
e're since you gave us the Happiness of your Company to Day: Your
Passion is too gr