--
Sir Simon also took him by the hand, and said, Ay, you have a sweet
daughter, Honesty; we are all in love with her. And the ladies came, and
said very fine things: Lady Darnford particularly, That he might think
himself the happiest man in England, in such a daughter. If, and please
you, madam, said he, she be but virtuous, 'tis all in all: For all the
rest is accident. But I doubt his honour has been too much upon the jest
with me. No, said Mrs. Peters, we are all witnesses, that he intends
very honourably by her.--It is some comfort, said he, and wiped his eyes,
that such good ladies say so--But I wish I could see her.
They would have had him sit down by them; but he would only sit behind
the door, in the corner of the room, so that one could not soon see him
as one came in; because the door opened against him, and hid him almost.
The ladies all sat down; and my master said, Desire Mrs. Jewkes to step
up, and tell Mrs. Andrews the ladies wait for her. So down I came.
Miss Darnford rose, and met me at the door, and said, Well, Miss Andrews,
we longed for your company. I did not see my dear father; and it seems
his heart was too full to speak; and he got up, and sat down three or
four times successively, unable to come to me, or to say any thing.
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