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graces, by his often gazing on her, by degrees conceived such a love for that excellent creature, that he was no longer master of his heart which his eyes had given away.
For a while he smothered the flame, but it soon broke out again the fiercer, and then he knew, experimentally, what Lucinda had suffered.
Often he attempted to discover his passion, and often fearing to offend, he stayed the words at his tongue's end and all he could do was to sign and stand confounded in her presence, while the innocent lady would frequently ask the reason, but had no other answer than what his eyes delivered in burning glances.
Thus he continued for a month or more, and at last resolved to make his passion known and he soon found an opportunity to drop a letter in the way of Dorinda, which contained the following words.
"Beauteous Dorinda
"After many sighs and eager looks, I have presumed to let you know, if this comes into your fair hand, that I love you better than my own life; and to be requited with your love, ⟨lo⟩! there is nothing so hazardous but I will undertake. The inequality I do confess is great, yet love is a power obedient to no law but to its own.
