his Way in an empty betweenwhiles ere his own true love
came. See to it, Jessamine, says she, that a Boy's
short-liv'd Fancy makes not a mock of thee, at thy years,
that should know better!

Mine Uncle ever twitt'd me for liking of Books, & laugh'd
when I beg'd I might have my Chance of Becoming an Artist.
"What," says he, "a Hynds woman painting of strange folks
their faces? Out upon thy notion, Jessamine!" And my Cozzens
laugh'd and said, Ever did Gentlemen dislike a Learn'd
Female. Should have gotten me a good Husband this Ten Years
since but for my Shrew's Temper & Vanity of Books.

To cure me they did Cruelly bait me to Marry the Pursy Ninny
that hath the Plantation beyond the Hopes, he that hath been
Ogling of me for years. Could scratch the Wretch his eyes
Out! Puffeth with his mouth in a way hateful to me & hath
pig's jowls. Yet were all they fair mad I should marry me
this Paragon. Should have a home of mine Own, worthy a Lady.
Aye,--and be out of the way, lest I lead Richard Astray.

Mine Uncle chid me for Ingratitude to God in that I stamp'd
my foot and said No! But Richard laugh'd at the idea of
Jessamine wedding yon tun. Quoth Richard, "Let Jessamine be,
all of ye! she is meat for his masters." Freeman smil'd
sourly, & shrug'd. I love not Freeman, nor do I hate him
overmuch though he call'd me "Madame Jezebel."

And then came Emily home from Visiting of her Aunts in
London Town. And they made a Marriage between her and
Richard, Richard that was mine. He had lov'd me an they had
let us be. Once pledg'd, he had held fast to his word. Nor
would I, for his own Soul's sake, have let him go. There is
none, none under the sun but me alone, was strong enough to
have sav'd Richard.

'T is true, as men judge such things, his Conduct to me was
but Gallant Pleasantry, such as Fine Gentlemen do show to
Favour'd Ladies. And he did Spare my Pride. Never did he
show by word or Deed, or admit to any, that I had car'd more
Deeply than he. But Emily knew. I knew she knew. Saw it in
her Eyes, that look'd on me with Pity. I will not brok that
any mortal Woman shall Pity me!

Secretly I suffer'd, suffer'd so that a Burning fire crept &
crept into my Brain and Stay'd, nor has left me, Day or
Night. And in all the World was n