News from Home: alle well. _Audrey Paice_ on a Visitt there. I hope _Mother_ hath not put her into my Chamber, but I know that she hath sett so manie Trays full of Spearmint, Peppermint, Camomiles, and Poppie-heads in the blue Chamber to dry, that she will not care to move them, nor have the Window opened lest they shoulde be blown aboute. I wish I had turned the Key on my ebony Cabinett.
_Richard_ and _Audrey_ rode over here, and spent a noisie Afternoone. _Rose_ had the Goose dressed which I know she meant to have reserved for to-morrow. _Clover_ was in a Heat, which one would have thoughte he needed not to have beene, with carrying a Lady; but _Audrey_ is heavie. She treats _Dick_ like a boy; and, indeede he is not much more; but he is quite taken up with her. I find she lies in the blue Chamber, which she says smells rarelie of Herbs. They returned not till late, after sundrie Hints from Mr. _Agnew_.
Alas, alas, _Robin's_ Silence is too sorrowfullie explained! He hath beene sent Home soe ill that he is like to die. This Report I have from _Diggory_, just come over to fetch me, with whom I start, soe soone as his Horse is bated. _Lord_, have Mercie on _Robin_.
The Children are alle sent away to keep the House quiete.
Oh, woefulle Sight! I had not known that pale Face, had I met it unawares. So thin and wan,--and he hath shot up into a tall Stripling during the last few Months. These two Nights of Watching have tried me sorelie, but I would not be witholden from sitting up with him yet agayn--what and if this Night should be his last? how coulde I forgive myself for sleeping on now and taking my Rest? The first Night, he knew me not; yet it was bitter-sweet to hear him chiding at sweet _Moll_ for not coming. Yesternight he knew me for a While, kissed me, and _fell_ into an heavie Sleepe, with his Hand locked in mine. We hoped the Crisis was come; but 'twas not soe. He raved much of a Man alle in red, riding hard after him. I minded me of those Words, "The Enemy sayd, I will overtake, I will pursue,"--and, noe one being by, save the unconscious Sufferer, I kneeled down beside him, and most earnestlie prayed for his Deliverance from all spirituall Adversaries. When I lookt up, his Eyes, larger and darker than ever, were fixt on me with a strange, wistfulle Stare, but he spake not. From that Moment he was quiete.