But what an age ’tis since we first met, and how great a change it has wrought in both of us; if there had been as great a one in my face, it could be either very handsome or very ugly.  For God’s sake, when we meet, let us design one day to remember old stories in, to ask one another by what degrees our friendship grew to this height ’tis at.  In earnest, I am lost sometimes with thinking on’t; and though I can never repent the share you have in my heart, I know not whether I gave it you willingly or not at first.  No, to speak ingenuously, I think you got an interest there a good while before I thought you had any, and it grew so insensibly, and yet so fast, that all the traverses it has met with since has served rather to discover it to me than at all to hinder it.  By this confession you will see I am past all disguise with you, and that you have reason to be satisfied with knowing as much of my heart as I do myself.  Will the kindness of this letter excuse the shortness on’t?  For I have twenty more, I think, to write, and the hopes I had of receiving one from you last night kept me writing this when I had more time; or if all this will not satisfy, make your own conditions, so you do not return it me by the shortness of yours.  Your servant kisses your hands, and I am

Your faithful.

Letter 35.—­This is written on the back of a letter of Sir Thomas Peyton to Dorothy, and is probably a postscript to Letter 34.  Sir Thomas’s letter is a good example of the stilted letter-writing in vogue at that time, which Dorothy tells us was so much admired.  The affairs that are troubling him are legal matters in connection with his brother-in-law Henry Oxenden’s estate.  There is a multitude of letters in the MSS. in the British Museum referring to this business; but we are not greatly concerned with Oxenden’s financial difficulties.  Sir Edward Hales was a gentleman of noble family in Kent.  There is one of the same name who in 1688 declares himself openly to be a Papist, and is tried under the Test Act.  He is concerned in the same year in the escape of King James, providing him with a fishing-boat to carry him into France.  This is in all probability the Sir Edward Hales referred to by Sir Thomas Peyton, unless it be a son of the same name.  Here is the letter:—­

“Good sister,—­I am very sorry to hear the loss of our good brother, whose short time gives us a sad example of our frail condition.  But I will not say the loss, knowing whom I write to, whose religion and wisdom is a present stay to support in all worldly accidents.

“’Tis long since we resolved to have given you a visit, and have relieved you of my daughter.  But I have had the following of a most laborious affair, which hath cost me the travelling, though in our own country style, fifty ...; and I have been less at home than elsewhere ever since I came from London; which hath vext me the more in regard I have been detained from the desire I had of being with you before this