ed her very courteouſly, deſiring her to ſit down, and refreſh herſelf with ſuch homely fare as their cottage afforded, which ſhe did; and then aſked her farther how ſhe came into that place. Deidamia deſired they would aſk her no queſtions, for the relation of her ſtory would but renew her grief; only, this much ſhe would let them know, that her being there alive was the effects of God's providence in delivering her from wicked and blood-thirſty men, that ſought to take away her life. Upon which, perceiving her to be full of grief, they aſked her no more queſtions, but finding her very weary, they led her into a homely, but clean apartment, to repoſe herſelf upon the bed. Deidamia was mighty, thoughtful what this aged couple might be and, whether or no, for her apparel's ſake, and that gold, and thoſe jewels ſhe had about her, ſhe might not fall into as great a danger, as that ſhe had formerly eſcaped, and though ſhe was, at firſt glad of their company, ſhe could have wiſhed herſelf in her beloved cave again. But her fears were quickly over, when, by a French Bible, and other books ſhe found in her room, and, by the hearty prayers of the good old man at night, ſhe perceived they were Hugonots; who, had fled into that ſolitary retirement, for the ſake of their religion. This made her be much more free with them, bleſſing God for his providence in bringing her thither; and reſolving to continue there till ſhe could meet with an opportunity to return home into the arms of her deareſt Alanſon: and the old couple, having underſtood her hiſtory more fully, by their pity and commiſeration, made her abode with them more eaſy; and the communion ſhe had with them, in the things of another world, weaned
her
