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68 a thouſand kiſſes and endearing expreſſions, aſſured her of the truth, reality, and conſtancy of his affections towards her; whilſt ſhe, on the other hand, ſeemed to be the moſt ſatisfied creature in the world, in that ſhe had once more ſeen her deareſt Lord Alanſon; deſiring him not to be troubled at her fainting away, ſince it was only occaſioned by the exceſs of joy ſhe conceived in ſeeing him again; and that death itſelf would have been eaſy to her upon ſo happy an occaſion; and eſpecially dying in his arms.

Whilſt in this manner they were expreſſing the ardency of their affections to each other, the good man of the houſe came home, and being told by his wife, that Deidamia's huſband was there, he was overjoyed; and courteouſly ſaluted Alanſon, telling him, 'He was ſure, he was a welcome man there to them all; but eſpecially to Deidamia, who had long mourned his abſence.' Alanſon kindly thanked him, and told him, he ſhould ever honour him as the refuge and preſerver of his dear lady. And, after ſuch civilities on each ſide paſſed, the good woman ſet before him, ſuch homely refreſhment as ſhe had prepared, on the table: Alanſon ate but little, Deidamia's preſence being more to him than all the dainties in the world; yet perceiving with what coarſe fare his lady had been there contented, he praiſed her humility, and wondered at her virtue. Dinner being ended, Alanſon was concerned for his ſervant, whom he had left in the entrance of the wood, and would have gone back to him; but the good old man would by no means let him, telling him he would go himſelf, becauſe he better knew the way, and could more eaſily find it; and ſo, taking his dogs along with him, he went