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flower…gardens； with many such innocent rural amusements； which；
although they are not capable of affording any great pleasure；
yet they give that serene turn to the mind which I think much
preferable to anything else human nature is made susceptible of。
I now resolved to spend the rest of my days here； and that
nothing should allure me from that sweet retirement； to be again
tossed about with tempestuous passions of any kind。 Whilst I was
in this situation； my lord Percy； the earl of Northumberland's
eldest son； by an accident of losing his way after a fox…chase；
was met by my father； about a mile from our house； he came home
with him； only with a design of dining with us； but was so taken
with me that he stayed three days。 I had too much experience in
all affairs of this kind not to see presently the influence I had
on him； but I was at that time so entirely free from all
ambition； that even the prospect of being a countess had no
effect on me； and I then thought nothing in the world could have
bribed me to have changed my way of life。 This young lord； who
was just in his bloom； found his passion so strong； he could not
endure a long absence； but returned again in a week； and
endeavored； by all the means he could think of； to engage me to
return his affection。 He addressed me with that tenderness and
respect which women on earth think can flow from nothing but real
love； and very often told me that； unless he could be so happy as
by his assiduity and care to make himself agreeable to me；
although he knew my father would eagerly embrace any proposal
from him； yet he would suffer that last of miseries of never
seeing me more rather than owe his own happiness to anything that
might be the least contradiction to my inclinations。 This manner
of proceeding had something in it so noble and generous； that by
degrees it raised a sensation in me which I know not how to
describe； nor by what name to call it： it was nothing like my
former passion： for there was no turbulence； no uneasy waking
nights attending it； but all I could with honor grant to oblige
him appeared to me to be justly due to his truth and love； and
more the effect of gratitude than of any desire of my own。 The
character I had heard of him from my father at my first returning
to England； in discoursing of the young nobility； convinced me
that if I was his wife I should have the perpetual satisfaction
of knowing every action of his must be approved by all the
sensible part of mankind； so that very soon I began to have no
scruple left but that of leaving my little scene of quietness；
and venturing again into the world。 But this； by his continual
application and submissive behavior； by degrees entirely
vanished； and I agreed he should take his own time to break it to
my father； whose consent he was not long in obtaining； for such a
match was by no means to be refused。 There remained nothing now
to be done but to prevail with the earl of Northumberland to
comply with what his son so ardently desired； for which purpose
he set out immediately for London； and begged it as the greatest
favor that I would accompany my father； who was also to go
thither the week following。 I could not refuse his request； and
as soon as we arrived in town he flew to me with the greatest
raptures to inform me his father was so good that； finding his
happiness depended on his answer； he had given him free leave to
act in this affair as would best please himself； and that he had
now no obstacle to prevent his wishes。 It was then the beginning
of the winter； and the time for our marriage was fixed for the
latter end of March： the consent of all parties made his access
to me very easy； and we conversed together both with innocence
and pleasure。 As his fondness was so great that he contrived all
the methods possible to keep me continually in his sight； he told
me one morning he was commanded by his father to attend him to
court that evening； and begged I would be so good as to meet him
there。 I was now so used to act as he would have me that I made
no difficulty of complying with his desire。 Two days after this；
I was very much surprised at perceiving such a melancholy in his
countenance； and alteration in his behavior； as I could no way
account for； but； by importunity； at last I got from him that
cardinal Wolsey； for what reason he knew not； had peremptorily
forbid him to think any more of me： and； when he urged that his
father was not displeased with it； the cardinal； in his imperious
manner； answered him； he should give his father such convincing
reasons why it would be attended with great inconveniences； that
he was sure he could bring him to be of his opinion。 On which he
turned from him； and gave him no opportunity of replying。 I
could not imagine what design the cardinal could have in
intermeddling in this match； and I was still more perplexed to
find that my father treated my lord Percy with much more coldness
than usual； he too saw it； and we both wondered what could
possibly be the cause of all this。 But it was not long before
the mystery was all made clear by my father； who； sending for me
one day into his chamber； let me into a secret which was as
little wished for as expected。 He began with the surprising
effects of youth and beauty； and the madness of letting go those
advantages they might procure us till it was too late； when we
might wish in vain to bring them back again。 I stood amazed at
this beginning； he saw my confusion； and bid me sit down and
attend to what he was going to tell me； which was of the greatest
consequence； and he hoped I would be wise enough to take his
advice； and act as he should think best for my future welfare。
He then asked me if I should not be much pleased to be a queen？
I answered； with the greatest earnestness； that； so far from it；
I would not live in a court again to be the greatest queen in the
world； that I had a lover who was both desirous and able to raise
my station even beyond my wishes。 I found this discourse was
very displeasing； my father frowned； and called me a romantic
fool； and said if I would hearken to him he could make me a
queen； for the cardinal had told him that the king； from the time
he saw me at court the other night； liked me； and intended to get
a divorce from his wife； and to put me in her place； and ordered
him to find some method to make me a maid of honor to her present
majesty； that in the meantime he might have an opportunity of
seeing me。 It is impossible to express the astonishment these
words threw me into； and； notwithstanding that the moment before；
when it appeared at so great a distance； I was very sincere in my
declaration how much it was against my will to be raised so high；
yet now the prospect came nearer； I confess my heart fluttered；
and my eyes were dazzled with a view of being seated on a throne。
My imagination presented before me all the pomp； power and
great