How I, that had fled away from the part of the country where this
trouble was, before its beginning, became mixed in it was strange
enough.
I had, as I said, run away to escape from the match that my father
proposed for me; and yet it was not from any dislike of Tom Windham, the
neighbour's son with whom I was to have mated, that I did this; but
chiefly from a dislike that I had to 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.
Pages:
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123