Page:Life and transactions of Mrs Jane Shore (2).pdf/4

 away by Lord Hastings, who, after the death of King Edward, took her for his concubine, as will appear in the close of this history. But the maid he had bribed with gold to get her abroad, repenting of such treachery, to her master, gave timely notice, and so prevented it.

Her father perceiving that, unless he took some speedy course, her great stock of beauty would be her ruin, resolved to marry her; so that having surrendered her virginity, and being in the arms of an husband, those that sought to crop her virgin rose would not regard her, but give over their pursuit.

And among those that courted, and earnestly sought her in way of marriage, was one Matthew Shore, a rich goldsmith in Lombard street, whom her father pitched upon as a fit husband and acquainted his fair daughter with his intention to marry her to him; but she appeared very averse to it, some times alleging disproportion of years