settle in the place where I had
been bred; for I thought myself weary of a country life and the little
town whither we went to market; and I desired to see somewhat of life in
a great city and the gaiety stirring there.

There dwelt in London a cousin of my mother, whose husband was a mercer,
and who had visited us a year before--when she was newly married--and
pressed me to go back with her.

"La!" she had said to me, "I know not how you endure this life, where
there is nothing to do but to listen for the grass growing and the
flowers opening. 'Twould drive me mad in a month."

Then she told me of the joyous racket of a great city, and the gay shows
and merry sports to be had there. But my father would not permit me to
go with her.

However, I resolved to ask no leave when the question of my marriage
came on; and so, without more ado, I slipped away by the first occasion
that came, when my friends were least suspecting it, and, leaving only
a message writ on paper to bid them have no uneasiness, for I knew how
to take care of myself, I contrived, after sundry adventures, to reach
London.

I arrived at an ill time, for there was sickness in the house of my
cousin Alstree. However, she made me welcome as well as might be, and
wrote to my father suddenly of my whereabouts. My father being sore
displeased at the step I had taken, sent me word by the next messenger
that came that way that I might even stay where I had put myself.

So now I had all my desire, and should have been content; but matters
did not turn out as I had expected. There might be much gaiety in the
town; but I saw little of it. My cousin was occupied with her own
concerns, having now a sickly baby to turn her mind from thoughts of her
own diversion; her husband was a sour-tempered man; and the prentices
that were in the house were ill-mannered and ill-bred.

[Illustration: GALLANTS LOUNGING IN THE PARK.]

There was in truth a Court no farther away than Whitehall. I saw
gallants lounging and talking together in the Park, games on the Mall,
and soldiers and horses in the streets and squares; but none of these
had any concern with me.

* * * * *

The news of the Duke's landing was brought to London while I was still
at my cousin's, but it made the less stir in her household because of
the sickness there; and presently a new and grievous trouble fell upon
us. My cousin Alstree was stricken with the small-pox, and in