Page:History of the blind beggar of Bethnal-Green.pdf/16

 therefore, after he had pauſed a while, took the bluſhing virgin by the hand, and ſaid, “You ſee, fair creature, how they that pretended to love you, did it only in expectation of your being deſcended from wealthy parents, and that they might get a large portion. Though they have left you, if you will accept of me for a huſband, who truly loves you on account of your virtue and beauty, I will make you my wife, and ſettle on you a jointure." To this ſhe repled, “Alas, ſir, I dare not hope for so much happineſs; or if I durſt, yet, would not diſpoſe of myſelf without my parents' conſent, though I muſt confeſs, ſays ſhe, bluſhing I ever did eſteem you above all the Gentlemen who did make love and offer themſelves to me." This modeſty kindled his paſſion more, and therefore after many vows of conſtancy, it was agreed that he ſhould provide horſes and ſervants, and conduct her the next morning to Bethnal-green, to aſk and obtain her father's conſent; yet this affair was not ſo ſecretly managed, but ſpies being abroad ſoon diſcovered it, who not only diſcovered to the knight's uncle who was guardian and truſtee for him, and